One Movie Punch

Hi everyone!

Today we're welcoming back Keith Lyons for another review. We're batting cleanup this month with a few Oscar and Golden Globe nominations. PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE was recently re-released in US theaters, and we're lucky to have Keith on the case. Of course, we'll just have to forget about that whole finding Keith an English-language film thing from last time. For a few other recent reviews from Keith, check out HONEYLAND (Episode #715), LES MISERABLES (Episode #680), and ATLANTICS (Episode #669).

Before the review, we'll have a promo from our good friends Aicila and Erik at Bicurean. Every episode, they explore a different topic, looking for the underlying issues, and finding common ground whenever possible. You can find them on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram @bicurean, or check them out at bicurean.com. Be sure to like, follow, rate, and subscribe! And don't forget to check out their recent guest review for FROZEN II (Episode #685). They've been huge supporters of One Movie Punch over the past year, and we cannot recommend them enough! A promo will run before the review.

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Hi, Philly Film Fan here with another review for One Movie Punch. You can follow me on Twitter @PhillyFilmFan.

Today's movie is PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE(2019), the 18th century French drama written and directed by Céline Sciamma. I wasn't able to catch PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE when it played the Philadelphia Film Festival but I'm delighted to be catching up with it now.

No spoilers.

Since its debut at Cannes, where it won Best Screenplay and a Queer Palm, PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE has continued to rack up awards, nominations, and accolades, including Best Foreign Language nominations at the Golden Globes and BAFTAS. It was also nominated for 10 Césars (France's equivalent to an Oscar) but only managed one win for cinematography. The top prize went to LES MISÉRABLES (Episode #680) and if you'd like to hear my review of that film, check out episode 680 of One Movie Punch.

But the big headline from this year's César Awards was definitely the announcement of Roman Polanski's win for best director, immediately followed by Adèle Haenel leading the entire PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE team as they walked out of the theater in protest. Haenel has been an outspoken critic of the French film industry's tepid response to the #MeToo movement and Roman Polanski drugged and raped a 13-year-old child. You might be wondering: What is wrong with the people in charge of the César Awards? And while we don't have time to get into that now, I can tell you that the entire board of directors resigned a month ago.

PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE begins on a rowboat, with Marianne (Noémie Merlant) making a journey to a small island off the coast of Brittany in France. Marianne is an artist and she has been commissioned to paint a portrait of Héloïse, played by the aforementioned Adèle Haenel. But when Marianne arrives she discovers that Héloïse refuses to sit for a portrait, and that Marianne must pretend to be Héloïse's companion, in order to observe her, then retire to her room to paint Héloïse's face by memory. This is all necessary to marry Héloïse off to a Milanese nobleman, a scheme concocted by Héloïse's mother, La Comtesse (Valeria Golino)... you know, from HOT SHOTS! ...and BIG TOP PEE-WEE! ...and HOT SHOTS PART DEUX!

The relationship between Marianne and Héloïse is central to PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE. Héloïse is a member of the nobility, but her privilege comes at a price. She is treated by her mother like a helpless child, and is not even permitted to go for a walk unsupervised. Héloïse's entire life has been mapped out for her, and she must marry a man she has never even met because it is her duty to strengthen her family's position. Marianne, on the other hand, is a woman of modest means, but she has the freedom to pursue her career as an artist. This job requires her to closely observe Héloïse, so that she can capture her essence on canvas. Héloïse is accustomed to being watched by the help, but before Marianne arrived she had never really been seen. As the two get to know each other, an intimacy develops between them and here, on this sparsely inhabited island, practically at the ends of the earth, they create a space where they feel like the only two souls in the world.

PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE is a gorgeously photographed film about two women forming an intense bond. And, like all the best romances, it is tinged with the sadness of knowing that our time here is limited, and that all things must come to an end. But melancholy is a much deeper emotion than happiness could ever be.

Rotten Tomatoes: 98% (CERTIFIED FRESH)

Metacritic: 95 (MUST SEE)

One Movie Punch: 9.0/10

PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE (2019) is rated Rand is currently playing in theaters.

This jawn was brought to you by Philly Film Fan. For more movie reviews, follow me on Twitter @PhillyFilmFan where I'm participating in the #366Movies challenge. That's P-H-I-L-L-Y-F-I-L-M-F-A-N. Thanks for listening.

Hi everyone!

Welcome back for another Indie Wednesday. Every Wednesday we like to feature a microbudget or independent production, and sometimes we're lucky enough to chat with the filmmakers themselves. Today, I'll be reviewing ALIVE, the latest short by Swedish filmmaker Jimmy Olsson, which takes a fun look at sex and ableism. We'll hear a few snippets from our interview with Jimmy during this review, but for a few other similar episodes, check out our reviews for TURBINES (Episode #721), CLOSURE (Episode #707), and SANDOW (Episode #693).

We'll have a bit of format switch today. Before the review, I'll run the audio for the full teaser trailer for ALIVE. Check the show notes for a link to the video, along with English subtitles for those who need them. Throughout the review, I'll be splicing in segments from our short interview. You can listen to the full interview on our Patreon page this coming Sunday. I was very thankful for the opportunity to speak with Jimmy Olsson.

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Today's movie is ALIVE(2020), the dramatic short written and directed by Jimmy Olsson. Victoria (Eva Johansson) was a combat athlete until she suffered a brain hemorrhage, leaving her partially paralyzed and with a case of aphasia. She's cared for by Ida (Madeleine Martin), who helps her with regular tasks and transportation, and spends time with her boyfriend Anton (Philip Oros). When Victoria asks Ida if anyone would want to be intimate with her, they create Victoria a Tinder page, which leads to a tense moment.

No spoilers.

Growing up in rural Illinois during the 1980s and 1990s, I didn't have much interaction with the disabled community. Most of my exposure was with individuals who were once able-bodied, but lost a limb, or had acquired a degenerative illness. It was also the vast majority of the noble depictions of the disabled community on the big and small screen, and it gave me the mistaken impression that being disabled was a matter of bad luck or old age. It didn't help that our district's approach to specialized education at the time was grouping and isolating them, and the big and small screen gleefully mocked those individuals.

It wasn't until college when I met someone with cerebral palsy that I had my own notions challenged. It forced me to greatly expand my notion of what disabled meant and how it affected people differently. It also made me want to see more realistic depictions of the community in film and television. The last twenty years have seen a great expansion for representation, beginning with mostly token roles and expanding into multiple shows and feature films. Which made me wonder where Jimmy got the idea.

JIMMY: "I listened to a podcast last summer and I heard a similar story about a carer and the disabled person. It was a similar story about a disabled person who wanted to have an, I think it was an escort, or something. There was a moment the carer wasn't allowed in the disabled person's home when the escort was arriving. I saw a drama there, if the carer doesn't know who's showing up, and what could happen, and what will happen, and who's fault is it if something goes wrong? That inspired me to write this story."

One of those topics, previously thought to be taboo about the disabled community, is sex. We speak so much about the social integration of the disabled community that we forget that each person is more than their disability, including very real, very powerful sexual feelings. Film and television abound with able love stories, but ALIVE allows us to consider the possibilities of love and sex for the disabled community in the modern age.

JIMMY: "I think many, many people... many able people have a certain view of disabled people, how they look, and they judge people if they look a certain way or behave a certain way. I think we need to shine a light on disabled people that they are exactly the same as everyone else."

Victoria, as a character, is obviously central to making ALIVE work as the lead character. Her past as a combat athlete and her present as a disabled person due to injury allows her to appeal to both populations and challenge our perceptions. The film opens with Victoria out with Ida in public, with Olsson capturing shots at Victoria's wheelchair level. We're quickly invested into Victoria as a character, getting a sense of how others see her, largely because of the excellent casting of Eva Johansson.

JIMMY: "I saw Eva, and she did a lot of research. She was very interested in the role and so I went with my gut feeling, because she's a real character actress. She does a lot of theater. She really went into the role immensely, like, she researched for two months before we shot it."

Aphasia is a difficult condition to replicate, but Eva's preparation pays off big time, finding the right balance between realism and pacing for cinematic effect. Eva communicates so much with her face and body while Victoria struggles to get the words out. You can feel any misguided expectations melting away as Victoria's story progresses, especially when the suitor shows up, played by Jimmy Olsson himself. I had to ask him if he wrote the role with himself in mind.

JIMMY: "No, it's just coincidence. Basically, I did it in my last film as well, but it was basically, because we shot it without money, and the producer said, 'Why don't you do it?' And I was like, 'Ah, what the hell! It's no dialogue. I look kind of shady. Why not?'"

ALIVE is a dramatic short that challenges our expectations about the disabled community. Coming in just over twenty minutes, Olsson weaves a nicely encapsulated tale, anchored by an incredible, expressive performance by Eva Johansson. Fans of films about the disabled community, or folks looking to expand their notions about the community, should definitely check out this film.

Rotten Tomatoes: NR

Metacritic: NR

One Movie Punch: 8.0/10

ALIVE (2020) is not rated and will be playing at the Cleveland International Film Festival, running from Wednesday, March 25th, 2020 through Sunday, April 5th, 2020. Head over to clevelandfilm.org for more information, including a schedule. We'll link back to the review here once it's available for streaming.

Hi everyone!

It's Tuesday, and today we're welcoming back One Movie Spouse to the podcast, with a review of a film she's been wanting to see for a very long time. In many ways, the film reminds me of how she and I first met, and how unlikely we seemed to so many people. Of course, I wasn't able to watch it with her, so I'll just have to assume that everything works out fine. For a few other recent reviews from One Movie Spouse, check out MISS AMERICANA (Episode #725), BOMBSHELL (Episode #701), and LITTLE WOMEN (Episode #673).

Before the review, we'll have a promo from our good friends at the How I Met Your Friends podcast. Every episode, Julie and Kathleen examine one episode of each hit sitcom, exploring the hidden connections and easter eggs within each episode. Don't miss their recent guest review for CATS (Episode #699), along with the reason they got stuck with the review. You can find them on Twitter @himyfriendspod, and on Facebook and Instagram @howimetyourfriendspod.

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Hello!

It's me Amy, AKA One Movie Spouse, back for another review.

MWAH!

A week-long break from school has me catching up on films I've been dying to see! Today's film features two of my favorite actors, Seth Rogen and Charlize Theron. Listen to my review, then catch me on Twitter @OneMovieSpouse to keep the conversation going.

Here we go!

Today's movie is LONG SHOT (2019), directed by Jonathan Levine and written for the screen by Dan Sterling and Liz Hannah, based on a story by Dan Sterling. The film follows the unlikely relationship between two old neighbors: a shlubby journalist named Fred Flarsky (Seth Rogen) and a high-powered diplomat Charlotte Field (Charlize Theron). This comedy is about politics, social status, compromise, and above all else, trusting your heart *and* your gut.

No spoilers!

LONG SHOT is both a political comedy and a romantic comedy rolled into one. The film opens to Fred as a passionate and unapologetic journalist, reporting on issues that matter to the world, when his newspaper is bought out by a large media conglomerate. Highly relevant to real-life today! Fred sees himself as a voice for the voiceless. We turn then, like most romcoms, to introducing the highly influential Charlotte, who never stops working. They couldn't be any more different, and are living in two different social spheres, when an unexpected event brings them together. I enjoy both of these actors very much and was pleased from the very beginning of the film. They make their somewhat cliché opposites attract story seem believable and enjoyable!

In addition to a fun love story, LONG SHOT also tackles some highly relevant issues today. Fred, as a journalist, is highly passionate about the environment, which Charlotte also shares, but while Fred is an idealist, Charlotte is a realist. Throughout the film, compromise is a key theme. Compromise (right or wrong) happens all the time as deals are negotiated and evolve. Compromises are also often disappointing and highly frustrating. Charlotte is under immense pressure as a diplomat to negotiate a compromise, which challenges Fred's idealism. Charlotte and Fred's relationship becomes a small mirror examining international relationships and our own decisions and compromises.

This film also had an excellent supporting cast adding to the richness of their story. Lance (O'Shea Jackson, Jr.) is Fred's best friend, who wants nothing more than to see his bro succeed and be happy in life! His presence throughout the film is reassuring, and made you feel like you were one of their friends. Maggie Millikin (June Diane Raphael) does an excellent job in her role as a personal assistant to Charlotte, giving just the right amount of tension and skepticism toward Fred as he re-enters Charlotte's life. If you've watched any political comedies or dramas, such as "Veep" or "Scandal", you know there are NO secrets allowed for those who serve the public.

LONG SHOT generally keeps a nice balance between political and romantic comedy, but about two-thirds into the film, an event occurs where drama overtakes the comedy very abruptly. I am ok with it, but it was jarring upon initial viewing, and a little off-tone. After that, though, my sappy side took over and just wanted them to be genuinely happy!

LONG SHOT is a political and romantic comedy, about status, compromise, and trust. Like me, I hope you find yourself cheering for an elite woman and an ordinary man against all odds. Fans of Seth Rogen, Charlize Theron, and "underdog" films should really enjoy this film! Keep an eye on that R-rating, though, if you plan on watching with teenagers, to avoid some potentially uncomfortable moments.

Rotten Tomatoes: 81% (CERTIFIED FRESH)

Metacritic: 67

One Movie Punch: 8.0/10

LONG SHOT (2019) is rated R and is currently playing on HBO and DIRECTV.

Hi everyone!

Welcome back for another Matinee Monday. You know, trailers usually go one of two directions for me. I generally try to avoid them to enjoy that pure initial viewing experience. Some trailers I get really sick of, really quick. But the trailer for THE INVISIBLE MAN has been nothing short of exciting, especially after being blown away by 2018's UPGRADE (Episode #155). If you're turned off because of the SAW and INSIDIOUS franchises, I assure you that today's film is not that. It's something much, much more.

Before the review, we'll have a promo from the Honey, You Should Watch This podcast. One Movie Spouse and I had the pleasure of guesting on their show recently to discuss ONE CUT OF THE DEAD, which Andrew Campbell reviewed in Episode #625, and which has become one of my favorite films of all time. You can find them on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram @HoneyWatchThis, or check out all their episodes, including ours, at honeyyoushouldwatchthis.podbean.com. Don't miss a single episode!

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Today's movie is THE INVISIBLE MAN (2020), the Dark Universe franchise film written and directed by Leigh Whannell, based on the classic novel by H.G. Wells. Cecilia Kass (Elisabeth Moss) narrowly escapes from an abusive relationship to a multi-millionaire optics engineer named Adrian Griffin (Oliver Jackson-Cohen). After Adrian commits suicide, Cecilia receives some unexpected benefits, which come with some unseen drawbacks. See what I did there? Or rather, didn't?

No spoilers.

However, definitely content warnings for abusive relationships and sexual assault.

At the top of the episode, I gushed a lot about Whannell's last film, UPGRADE, which took folks by surprise in 2018. I'm not a huge fan of the SAW franchise, nor did I care for INSIDIOUS, but that particular week there wasn't much else playing, and I was glad I took the time. In particular, Whannell used a great fixed-point camera trick that made the fights within the film have a realism and focus necessary to use an otherwise played out, high-tech version of body possession. That new take on an old idea was what made his helming of THE INVISIBLE MAN so exciting to me.

My excitement only increased when Moss was announced for the lead, after her incredible work on "Mad Men" and "The Handmaid's Tale", along with her underseen role last year in HER SMELL (Episode #650). All of that experience clearly fed into THE INVISIBLE MAN, which focuses on gaslighting in abusive relationships, instead of the other serial-killer and/or misunderstood monster plot lines from before. We were going to get something new, with the right skill set at the helm and in the lead role, and let me tell you, it is excellent!

The trailer gives you all the setup you need to know the basic opening of this film. The film opens with Cecilia's daring escape, much more difficult than you might expect when someone is an obsessive controlling force. Adrian commits suicide, leaves her money, and then someone begins terrorizing Cecilia at the house she was staying at after her escape, and wherever she seems to go. The terrorism begins like patterns familiar to anyone who has been in an abusive relationship. Little gaslighting events that make Cecilia question her reality, and others to question her sanity. It's a slow build up, but once it takes off, it really takes off, with two gasp-inducing events sure to shock anyone out of their listlessness.

Once Cecilia knows she's fighting against an invisible foe, we get to see the real power of Whannell's direction and camerawork, utilizing a lot of practical and greensuit effects to create gorgeous long-take fight scenes. You get a taste of the hallway fight in the trailer, but there are three other scenes that expertly execute and reformulate the same practical effects of yesteryear for invisibility in cinema. As a long-time classic movie monster fan, seeing this version absolutely delighted me, when it wasn't shocking me in all the right places.

I don't want to spoil anything, so let me just end the review by talking a bit about the Dark Universe reboot era. This is the first really great film in this latest era of the Universal Monsters. The first two entries, DRACULA UNTOLD and THE MUMMY, were both derided by critics and fans, leading to the collapse of the shared universe. But luckily that didn't stop Universal from moving forward with more contemporary versions of the films, and perhaps the standalone model might work better. I can definitely see a shared universe still, perhaps on this smaller, more personable scale of THE INVISIBLE MAN. However, the new scattershot approach to development might not make that possible, although I could definitely see pressure to link the announced THE INVISIBLE WOMAN to Whannell's excellent entry. Only time will tell.

THE INVISIBLE MAN is an incredible adaptation of both the classic novel by H.G. Wells and the long series of adaptations in multiple media. Leigh Whannell brings his unique take on storytelling, anchored in an impressive performance by Elisabeth Moss, to deliver one of the best adaptations in recent history. Classic movie monster fans, folks who like films exploring abusive relationships, or fans of either Whannell or Moss, will definitely appreciate this film.

Rotten Tomatoes: 90% (CERTIFIED FRESH)

Metacritic: 71

One Movie Punch: 9.0/10

THE INVISIBLE MAN (2020) is rated R and is currently playing in theaters.

Hi everyone!

Welcome to March! Things have been super busy around here at One Movie Punch as we begin to wrap up first quarter. This week we're coming in with a slate of five Certified Fresh films, including tomorrow's review for THE INVISIBLE MAN, Tuesday's review of LONG SHOT from One Movie Spouse, Thursday's review of PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE from Keith Lyons, Saturday's review of THE BATTLE OF ALGIERS from your truly, along with today's review of THE ASSISTANT. Andrew will be back on Friday with his review of recent VOD release AFTER MIDNIGHT as part of his Fantastic Fest coverage. And on Wednesday, I'll be reviewing ALIVE, a short film from Swedish filmmaker Jimmy Olsson, with interview clips.

We're so busy, in fact, that we actually won't have a Patreon episode today. But don't let that stop you from heading on over to patreon.com/onemoviepunch to check out our exclusive content, including interviews with filmmakers, update episodes, and series like "One Movie Punch Presents: Zero Percent", where I review films which have achieved the lowest possible score at Rotten Tomatoes. And if you sign up to become a patron, you will become eligible for Sponsor Sundays, where I'll review a film of your choice, with just a few exceptions. A promo explaining things will run before the review.

Subscribe to stay current with the latest releases.

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Today's movie is THE ASSISTANT (2019), the slice of life drama written and directed by Kitty Green. The film follows a day in the life of Jane (Julia Garner), an assistant to a high-power media executive, as she navigates the mundane and the horrific aspects of her entry-level position.

No spoilers.

However, a content warning for sexual harassment, abusive work relationships, and toxic work environments.

Toxic work environments abound in our society. It doesn't matter whether it's private or public, for-profit or non-profit. It can be a minimum wage job, or in the case of THE ASSISTANT, a high-power corporate environment managing a great deal of money. Wherever you have an organization with a hierarchical structure, some percentage of those who are promoted into managerial positions will let that power go to their head, and will begin to cultivate toxic environments. Because unless you have a strong union contract, chances are you are employed at will, and no matter how much your boss wants to be your friend, they will always choose to fire you if it becomes necessary. At-will workplaces tend to have the most toxic environments and we get to see it on full display in today's film.

Whereas BOMBSHELL (Episode #701) was clearly focused on the three leading actors, and covers the highlights and major events of the Fox News scandal, THE ASSISTANT takes a more mundane and grounded approach with its slice of life framing. Jane's story unfolds before our eyes, from catching a ride to work to open the office, all the way through closing up for the night, at her employer's insistence. Jane has been an assistant for two months, so she still has to deal with the scut work, not just making copies or picking up lunches, but even washing dishes and taking out trash and whatever someone else doesn't want to do, including her fellow assistants with more experience. This perspective alone provides incredible insight into toxic work environments, but THE ASSISTANT also explores the effects of sexual harassment and abusive bosses, which is where it really takes off.

It's pretty obvious the target of THE ASSISTANT is Harvey Weinstein, or any number of highly paid media moguls who hold unspeakable power over their companies, if not their industries. We actually never get to see Jane's boss, which allows us to insert whatever toxic boss we may have had in our past. But we do get to hear his voice, an effective technique as Jane gets dressed down after getting sucked into the general chaos of the day. She's not in control of any of her environment, a fact she learns painfully when she seeks assistance, because toxic work environments have an inertia that's tough to break, legally speaking, especially when checks can be written to guarantee silence.

This abusive environment also engenders a sense of solidarity in the office, especially among the assistants. Despite getting scut work, both assistants help Jane with apologizing after getting chewed out. Jane is still learning her environment, not as it should be, but as it is. And we are as well. Julia Garner absolutely carries Jane from beginning to end, adopting a character familiar to anyone who has worked in toxic environments, and delivers what will be one of the best performances this year.

Kitty Green nails the drab tones of the stale, mismanaged office environment, along with a more hive-minded, cacophonous cubicle farm. The stark, sharp angles of the corporate environment are leveraged to draw our eyes to all the important details, as we get to observe Jane observing others. THE ASSISTANT develops tension slowly, then manages it all the way to the thematically unsatisfying, but exceptionally realistic ending. A feeling that anyone who has worked in a toxic work environment will appreciate when they've left for the day. We get less spectacle and more realism, and the film is all the better for it.

I just wish the film had the courage to market the film it actually was, instead of what the trailer made it seem. Honestly, I hadn't heard much about the film before it hit the marquee of our local independent theater, so when One Movie Spouse and I were looking for a date night film, we checked out the trailer. As you might have noticed during this review, it's pretty intense, giving the sense that something massive and dramatic happens. And that's not the film you're going to get in the theater. It's actually better than the film that's advertised, to be honest.

THE ASSISTANT is a slice of life drama looking at a day in the life of one assistant for a powerful media mogul. Julia Garner anchors this think piece, which oscillates between the mundane and the stressful, against a well-chosen and well-paced backdrop. Drama fans, or folks looking for a more realistic, less sensationalized look at toxic work environments driven by sexual harassment and abusive relationships, will definitely enjoy this film.

Rotten Tomatoes: 90% (CERTIFIED FRESH)

Metacritic: 77

One Movie Punch: 8.0/10

THE ASSISTANT (2019) is rated R and is currently playing in theaters.

Hi everyone!

We're closing out the week with another entry in our series, Under the Kanopy. Kanopy is a library and university funded streaming service that grants card holders six free streams a month, featuring a combination of classic, mainstream, independent, and international films. They currently have streaming deals with some of our favorite distributors, like A24 and Kino Lorber, which offer the critically acclaimed, if not commercially successful films.

Today's film covers one of my favorite artists, both while growing up, and in retrospect as I have time to learn about him. Leonard Cohen was a Canadian writer, probably best known for his musical work, and especially a track called "Hallelujah", which was used in almost hilarious fashion in Zach Snyder's WATCHMEN. Today's documentary looks at his time with early muse Marianne Ilhen, and the development of his music during their time on the isle of Hydra in the 1960s, long before heartache, depression, and disease crept in throughout his life. I'll have my thoughts on MARIANNE AND LEONARD: WORDS OF LOVE in a moment. For a few other films in this same series, check out HAVE A NICE DAY (Episode #724), TO DUST (Episode #717), and TRANSFORMER (Episode #710).

Before the review, we'll have a promo from the Top 5 from Fighting podcast. Every episode, Greg and Mike discuss a wide range of topics, and when they disagree, you know they're gonna fight about it! Always fun, but always contentious, you don't want to miss a single episode. You can find them on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram @Top5forFighting. They have been some of our biggest supporters from last year. Shout out to their Marketing Angel. You know who you are!

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Today's movie is MARIANNE AND LEONARD: WORDS OF LOVE (2019), the documentary film from long-time documentarian Nick Broomfield. The film follows the troubled relationship between writer/singer/songwriter Leonard Cohen and his muse, Marianne Ihlen, from their meeting on the isle of Hydra to their ultimate breakup over Cohen's obsession with his musical career.

No spoilers.

We have a tradition in our household of giving books to each other for Christmas. I try to find a book or two for One Movie Spouse and One Movie Spawn, and they try to do the same for me and each other. I have a list of books I'm always looking for, which I send along ahead of time. But Amy always tries to find a book that I might enjoy, but didn't ask for, and this year that was Leonard Cohen's "The Flame", a collection of his old writings, song lyrics, and last works, compiled after his death in 2016. I have been a fan of Leonard Cohen's music, having been turned on to him after picking up a Greatest Hits CD at the library a while back, and realizing I knew a lot more of his songs than I thought. But I didn't know much more than the music, and even less about the man himself. So, I thought it was a fun treat to get to do just that. And ironically, after I finished reading a book by Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh, I dove right into "The Flame" for an education.

Subconsciously, I think what appealed to me about Leonard Cohen is how similar his spiritual outlook was to that of Jack Kerouac. I got a taste of that while reading "The Flame", but the parallels really hit home while watching MARIANNE AND LEONARD. Both had roots in Canada, came from middle-class homes with strong religious influences, both fancied themselves as writers, and spent their lives travelling to find inspiration for their writing. In fact, if there's any major difference, it's the choice of drugs and location. Kerouac traveled around the United States, looking for his inspiration, fueled mostly by alcohol, marijuana, and speed. But Cohen eventually found a home on the isle of Hydra, where he took massive amounts of speed, but also acid, while writing poetry and novels, and with the help of who would be his greatest muse, Marianne Ilhen.

When people think about the counter-culture of the 1960s, they generally think of the group as one homogenous unit, a stereotype that exists to this very day. Beatniks were not the same hippies, nor were yippies the same as communists. While these populations might have been pushing back against the mostly homogenous representation of society and culture appearing on the radio and television, each group had different reasons and approaches to that pushback. MARIANNE AND LEONARD looks at one dynamic corner of that world, secluded away on Hydra, where the two would meet and eventually fall in love. Marianne Ilhen was running away from a life she didn't want in Norway, with her son in tow. Leonard Cohen was looking for inspiration, and found it in Marianne.

Hydra was just one of a number of locations and neighborhoods that existed around the world, as yet untouched by tourism or gentrification, similar to the kind of artistic awakening happening in Haight-Ashbury in San Francisco. We get to see the kind of routine they had in life, which was comprised of writing and roaming around Hydra, making steady progress, and enjoying life otherwise. It sounds like a writer's paradise, and yet, for both Kerouac and Cohen, there's also an uneasiness that comes with staying in one place too long, a stagnation that begins to stifle creativity, and this wandering urge would eventually be the beginning of the end for their relationship. And these mythical communities eventually fall apart as well, which Broomfield examines by going back to Hydra and examining the long-term effects of many individuals from that community. Daily acid trips generally don't make for well-adjusted individuals.

A wandering spirit and heavy acid trips aren't enough to pull someone away from the people they dearly love. But once Leonard Cohen found success as a singer/songwriter, he was gone longer and longer from Hydra, and by extension Marianne. It's at this point in the documentary that Broomfield gets a little unbalanced in telling the story, turning mostly into a rapid-fire overview of Leonard's career and controversies, and almost passing mentions for Marianne. It might be an apt metaphor for their relationship, especially as it deteriorated, but it seems to distract from that same relationship in the process. We get a mini-biography, then a moving ending where Leonard's last letter to Marianne is being read to her on her death bed. I really wish we had heard more from Ilhen as part of the documentary, but I can imagine finding footage of Leonard to be much easier than Ilhen.

The only other stylistic difference I had with the film was the framing for the interviews. Broomfield has the guests speak directly into the camera, instead of at an angle, which can feel disconcerting to some viewers, especially when we know the person is speaking to Broomfield, not the viewer. I often found myself wanting to look away while they were speaking, which is not generally the effect a documentarian wants. I think it can work in the right circumstances, but here it just felt weird.

MARIANNE AND LEONARD: WORDS OF LOVE is an expansive documentary, looking at the loving and creative relationship between Leonard Cohen and Marianne Ilhen. Nick Broomfield takes us from their meeting on Hydra all the way to their death beds, covering all the peaceful and tumultuous times in-between. While the content skews more towards Leonard Cohen, the documentary remains informative and insightful into the core relationship. Documentary fans, especially fans of older music like One Movie Spouse, should definitely check out this film.

Rotten Tomatoes: 79% (CERTIFIED FRESH)

Metacritic: 69

One Movie Punch: 8.0/10

MARIANNE AND LEONARD: WORDS OF LOVE (2019) is rated R and is currently playing on Kanopy.

Hi everyone!

It's Friday, so it's time for another Fantastic Fest feature from Andrew Campbell. This week will feature absolutely no BS. No wait, I'm sorry, this film will be full of BS, and I mean actual bullshit. Not a bunch of lies and stories for which the term bullshit is used, but actual bullshit, along with actual bulls, who have an actual prize tied to their horns called... JALLIKATTU! Don't miss Andrew's other recent reviews for THE CALL OF THE WILD (Episode #726), BLISS (Episode #723), and SCHOOL'S OUT (Episode #716).

Before the review, we'll have a promo from our good friends at the Moviedrone podcast. Every week, Steve & Marc focus on one feature film, assign each other homework, interact with the audience, and of course, the incredible stylings of Marc's Movie Impressions. You can find them on Twitter and Instagram @movie_drone and on Facebook @Moviedronepod. Be sure to like, retweet, share, follow, and most importantly, subscribe!

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Hello film fans!

Andrew here, back today with wild film out of India. When discussing the Indian and American film markets, people generally compare Bollywood versus Hollywood. When you get into the weeds on these terms, Bollywood refers specifically to films produced in Mumbai (which was known as Bombay when the term "Bollywood" was originally coined). Now, the term has taken on more of a colloquial meaning to describe the sum total of all films produced in the country, which includes smaller studio markets such as Tollywood and Kollywood among others. Likewise, "Hollywood films" once referred to movies made in the L.A. suburb that housed most of the major film studios, but now typically refers to American films made anywhere in the country but within the larger studio system, which excludes independent films. Hey Joseph, you're gonna fact check all this, right?

JOSEPH: "Seems legit."

In any case, there were roughly one thousand films released in the United States last year and roughly double that figure in India. Let's see if we can figure out why this one broke out of the herd and got picked up by Fantastic Fest.

Today's movie is JALLIKATTU (2019), written by R. Jayakumar & Hareesh S., and directed by Lijo Jose Pellissery. The film stars Antony Varghese as Varkey, the lone butcher in a remote Indian village. Varkey is preparing a buffalo for slaughter when the massive animal breaks free and runs rampage through the town and surrounding jungle. With the buffalo wreaking havoc, the women and children take shelter while the men attempt to recapture the beast. Mobs begin to form and the petty squabbles that have existed between the men of the village for years get in the way of the task at hand.

The film opens with a little bit of character work, giving us a soft introduction to a number of the villagers. However, once the buffalo breaks loose, the film quickly descends into chaos. Maybe it's cultural differences, or the way the story spends the next hour shunting between one chaotic scene to the next, or the exponential growth of extras as more and more men show up, but I lost track of all the main characters and their collective personal dramas. This left me fairly bored and all but disengaged for the bulk of the film's runtime. Nearly every moment of the film is filled with men talking over each other, men shouting at one another, or men abusing their spouses. The film stampedes the viewer with constant cacophony… but maybe that's the point.

Stepping back and looking at the movie from a distance, it's clear that the film was not made with the western audience in mind and the creators were probably pleasantly surprised to see it picked up by TIFF (the Toronto International Film Festival), Fantastic Fest, and likely others. With that in mind, it's probably more fair to grade this one on a curve and view it as an outsider looking into a massive country with a vibrant cinema scene that I know nothing about. In the film itself, every time a character smokes or drinks alcohol, a "warning label" (for lack of a better term) appears noticeably on screen to warn the audience against the danger of such vices. The film simply comes from a far different world than I am used to.

What JALLIKATTU gets right is the one thing that easily translates into any language - that sweet, sweet buffalo action. There are several scenes where you get real shots of the massive animal running around doing its own thing, but there's a great mix of practical effects as well. There are some thrilling third-person shots that any fans of the indie video game Goat Simulator are certain to enjoy. Then the film sprinkles in some buffalo cam shots as the viewer bounds around and sends villagers flying. Were this an American film, you know it would all be CGI, but the live action stunt-work here is what makes the film worth sticking with through some of the rough patches.

What makes JALLIKATTU fantastic?The ending of this film... absolutelygoes for it. What felt like a fairly realistic depiction of the more toxic aspects of masculinity in the Indian culture transcends into something so outlandish that it may literally be jaw-dropping. If you give this one a shot and find yourself losing interest during the protracted second act, just ensure that you zoom ahead and check out the last 15 minutes for a startling visual metaphor.

JALLIKATTU is a step outside the comfort zone for American audiences that delivers a dull roar punctuated by the occasional violent hoofbeat. Fans of films that descend into surreal chaos such as TUMBBAD (Episode #432), CLIMAX (Episode #459), or MOTHER! (Episode #245) will enjoy this film.

Rotten Tomatoes: 93%

Metacritic: NR

One Movie Punch: 6.2/10

JALLIKATTU (2019) is not rated and is now streaming now Amazon Prime Video.

Come back next Friday for a light-hearted midnight horror flick appropriately titled AFTER MIDNIGHT. This movie showcases what a filmmaker can do on a shoestring budget. It's equal parts Deep South break-up drama and psychological terror with a monster in the woods that may or may not actually exist. I promise it's a fun one.

See you then!

Hi everyone!

We're back with another review from Jon-David, aka the Mafia Hairdresser, who is absolutely determined to pick up all our missing award nominees and winners from last year, including today's underhyped film, PAIN AND GLORY, featuring a commanding performance from Antonio Banderas. We're excited to get Jon-David's take on the film. Don't miss his recent reviews for MALEFICENT: MISTRESS OF EVIL (Episode #713), THE CAVE (Episode #706), and RICHARD JEWELL (Episode #692). His promo will run before the review.

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Hello, this Jon-David aka Mafia Hairdresser, the writer and performer of the podcast The Mafia Hairdresser Chronicles, a campy crime comedy based on my time working for a Hollywood cocaine trafficking couple in the 1980s.

Today's movie is PAIN AND GLORY (2019), written and directed by internationally-acclaimed Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar, and stars Antonio Banderas, Penélope Cruz, Leonardo Sbaraglia, and Asier Etxeandia.

No spoilers.

PAIN AND GLORY stars Antonio Banderas as writer/director Salvador Mallo. The film opens to Mallo's memories of childhood, growing up poor with his mother, Jacinta (Penélope Cruz). As the story moves along, we see Salvador Mallo's physical pain as an adult, which makes you think he might be nearing the end of his career of writer/director.

Between the storylines of Antonio Banderas, as Mallo, rejecting the call to write and direct again (which is, figuratively, the breath of his life), and his romanticized flashbacks of Penélope Cruz raising him and molding him into the artist that he has become, you'll begin to notice how the real director of the film, Almodóvar, uses music, light, color, and even his actors to tell his story. You see, in the films of Pedro Almodóvar, the story is not only enjoyable and straightforward or complex, he is also commenting on the subject of his stories. In this film, PAIN AND GLORY, he is commenting on the PAIN his main character has to endure when he feels his GLORY days as a film director are over.

PAIN AND GLORY is rumored to be highly autobiographical and includes straight up tellings of Almodóvar's religious education and his family expectations that he would become a priest. Antonio Banderas, as the film director, has to address his own ego and the way he has gone through life soaking up lovers, friends, colors, and experiences, but not fully experiencing them. Only writing them and filming them.

I hope that when you see PAIN AND GLORY, you're with a group of friends who likes to view film and talk about them afterwards. This film is actually not just autobiographical, a story, or a portrait. It is a statement from Pedro Almodóvar. He is showing you the brushes, his tools in which he paints his stories with. Although the main character is a film director who suffers for his art, you will see his tortured contemplation of his past films, brilliantly played by Banderas, who tries to maintain relationships, at arm's length, to protect his own drug use.

Almodóvar, the openly gay director, loves to tell the public what he thinks. He loves to show you his opinions in his films, and PAIN AND GLORYis his conversation directly with his film fans. He is telling us that, as close to the truth about his life and demons that he can show you, it will never be enough or real enough. But that the pursuit of showing you is the best anyone can do. Filmmaking, to him, and his main character, is like "chasing the dragon", a term used by heroin users, also depicted in this film by Banderas, who suffers and strives to tell stories by making movies which only achieves him finite glory once his films are completed.

Both the use of Antonio Banderas and Penélope Cruz in this film, along with his use of color, is another example of how Almodóvar uses his favorite actors, commenting that they are one of the many tools to tell a story. Personally, I would particularly to like know what people who have seen this film think of Almodóvar's use of white, such as the cave-home dwelling his childhood main character grew up in, the stark white hospital scenes his grown up main character must endure, and what the use of whiteboards and the words "whitewash" mean in this film. Feel free to comment if you're listening. Or chat us up on Twitter or Instagram. I have my own opinions.

PAIN AND GLORY was nominated for a 92nd Best International Feature Film Academy Award. The writer director Pedro Almodóvar is already an Academy Award winner for Best Foreign Language Film in 2000 for ALL ABOUT MY MOTHER (1999), and Best Original Screenplay in 2003 for TALK TO HER (2002). Antonio Banderas won Best Actor at Cannes for his role in PAIN AND GLORY, and he was also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor. If you're a fan of Pedro Almodóvar, you'll see this film and become a bigger fan. And, if this is the first of his films you view, you will become a fan.

Rotten Tomatoes: 97% (CERTIFIED FRESH)

Metacritic: 87 (MUST SEE)

One Movie Punch: 8.3/10

PAIN AND GLORY (2019), rated R, can be streamed on Amazon and iTunes.

This is Jon-David, aka Mafia Hairdresser, the writer/performer of the Mafia Hairdresser Chronicles, my comedy crime podcast.

Hi everyone!

All right, we're hitting the pause button on Indie Wednesdays for another contractually-obligated review from Shane Hyde, due to the peace accords signed after last year's Reign of Terror 2019. Shane and I had a minor month-long disagreement you can check out beginning with One Movie Spouse's review for CAN YOU EVER FORGIVE ME? (Episode #594), and heading through the entire month of October. Today we'll have another installment of his beat we like to call Horror Stories, and today's a gem from 2009 entitled THE HOUSE OF THE DEVIL. Don't miss his recent reviews for WOUNDS (Episode #694), RUST CREEK (Episode #654), and NIGHTMARE CINEMA (Episode #647).

Before the review, we'll have a promo from our good friends at the Cinema Recall podcast. Every episode, The Vern takes a look at iconic scenes in classic movies. You can find them on Twitter and Instagram @cinema_recall, and also subscribe to their podcast at anchor.fm/cinemarecall. Don't miss a single episode!

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Kia ora!

I'm Shane Hyde, back to review another movie for you all. I'm a Kiwi living in Australia. Everything down under is currently on fire or underwater so I'm staying inside and reviewing movies. Let's go!

Today's movie is THE HOUSE OF THE DEVIL (2009), written and directed for the screen by Ti West, and starring Joselin Donahue and Tom Noonan.

This film is written and directed by Ti West. Not a huge name but he works almost exclusively in horror and will later go on to direct THE INNKEEPERS (2011), which was pretty fabulous. In THE HOUSE OF THE DEVIL, his work is readily evident in the direction. Sometimes almost too evident in these long, lingering shots. They went on. And on.

2009's HOUSE OF THE DEVIL takes a rather interesting approach to the movie's tone. The whole setup is in homage to the horror films of the 1970s and early 1980s. Everything from the type of film used, to the title card of the film, is something of a throwback. This deliberate design choice lends itself to a kind of 'rediscovered treasure' feeling of the film. And for the whole, it's really effective. And this tonality, the camera work, colour grading all fits together with the script. It's a slow burner, almost innocent for the most part. This HOUSE OF THE DEVIL lacks devils, but makes up for it with a small, odd assortment of characters.

Samantha (Jocelin Donahue), and our proxy in this film, is a young woman motivated to take on a babysitting job due to a shortness of cash. I love her role in this film; she has agency and drives the story along. Even towards the climax of the film, she keeps on fighting. Our main antagonist, Mister Ullman, played with not-too-creepy desperation by Tom Noonan, looms over each scene he's in. His on-screen wife Mrs. Ullman (Mary Woronov) almost too macabre, but not quite Addams Family camp. Both are glorious and luscious additions to the film.

In the end, I keep trying to convince myself that this is a good film. Aside from a few notable and minor scenes, there's nothing to hint that this house is indeed THE HOUSE OF THE DEVIL. In fact, once she's situated as the babysitter, there's nothing much about the house that makes your skin crawl, or even Samantha's skin crawl. But isn't that what the 80s Satanic Panic was all about? Your neighbors might have been worshippers, appeared normal, had neighborhood bbqs like anyone else? And then presto-change-o! They're painting pentagrams in blood and playing Dungeons and Dragons.

This isn't a bad movie, it's just not a great movie. The pacing doesn't match with our modern sensibilities. The artistic choices and camera work definitely play into its favour, but at its core it's all sizzle, no bacon... and in the end, the truth is that there's something truly wrong with all of the pizza in this movie. Perhaps this is the TRUE horror at the heart of THE HOUSE OF THE DEVIL?

Rotten Tomatoes: 87% (CERTIFIED FRESH)

Metacritic: 73

One Movie Punch: 7.0/10

THE HOUSE OF THE DEVIL (2009) is rated R.

JOSEPH: "Unless you're in the United States, where it's currently playing on Amazon Prime, Hoopla, and Shudder."

Also, Tom Noonan, who played Mr. Ullman in the film, is a... I am a bit of a fan, ever since I saw the short film on YouTube, THEY ARE MADE OUT OF MEAT (2005). Look it up. You won't be disappointed.

LINK: youtu.be/7tScAyNaRdQ

Anyway, I'm Shane Hyde, and that's a review.

Hi everyone!

Welcome back for another Takeover Tuesday, and this one is going to be a real treat. I'm not going to lie. Kolby's been straight teasing me about being on this podcast for about 18 months. Yeah, sure, he's got his own podcast entitled Kolby Told Me, which you'll hear about before the review. Yeah, sure, he's co-host for the Minorites Report Podcast, that drops weekly doses of perspective on popular culture. But, it wasn't until I sent him the Puss In Boots meme with the saucer-eyes and welling up tears that he finally broke and said he would do it. That's because we get our guests here at One Movie Punch the old-fashioned way. By guilt-tripping. Kolby will be up in a moment with his review, along with his personal promo beforehand. Thanks for making the time, Kolby!

Speaking of Takeover Tuesday, do you think you have what it takes to guest on One Movie Punch? Head over to onemoviepunch.com/takeover-tuesday and learn more about how you can guest here at One Movie Punch. We still have three (3) slots available this quarter for aspiring and established film critics to take the reins for an episode. We'll run your promo before the review and will place it in regular rotation for the quarter. If it sounds like something interesting to you, reach out to us over social media.

Subscribe to stay current with the latest releases.

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THE PHOTOGRAPH (2020) centers on Michael Block (LaKeith Stanfield), a journalist touring a distressed town in Louisiana, set to interview one of its residents, Isaac (Rob Morgan). Isaac details his life, his struggles, his accomplishments and regrets. Michael comes across a photograph of a striking young woman who he's told is Christina Eames (Chanté Adams), a famed photographer from New York who was his greatest love that got away. Michael's focus shifts and so does his story which leads him to Christina's daughter, Mae (Issa Rae). She's been grappling with the complex emotions of Christina's recent and unexpected passing and it's not made any easier because of their estranged relationship. She finds several letters and a photograph tucked away in a safe-deposit box. She begins delving deep into her mother's early life and this photograph serendipitously unites her and Michael in an unexpected romance that changes the way they both view life and love.

Writer/Director Stella Meghie crafts a simple and tender love story between two couples across different periods in time. The narrative construction of the screenplay is very much poetic and almost lyrical in its design. Her direction is sleek and displays an intentional highlight of the characters in this story and how they move in the world she's built. There's a subdued, yet melodic and jazzed grit to the outer New Orleans 1980s love story between Isaac and Christina, juxtaposed to the smooth and refined Neo-Soul infused eroticism of Michael and Mae's New York romance. Both distinct, but both tracing similar journeys of intense passion and unmet expectations. The dueling stories progress the plot delicately to both Michael and Mae, that takes twists neither of them could've expected yet are fulfilled authentically in the end.

I was skeptical of what LaKeith and Issa could bring to the screen in their 1st big shot at leading roles, and I'm glad to say they blew me away. Their chemistry was evident, and their sexuality was steamy. The entire ensemble worked well balancing the other injections of comedy and drama throughout the film, particularly, Lil' Rel Howery's Kyle, older brother to Michael. He was an always welcomed sage, offering these anecdotes of wisdom with his comedic flair.

What makes this story unique, is not the grandiose love affair we've become inundated with, but how this film revels in its simplicity. Which may also serve to what could limit this films appeal to some audiences. It's not often we are given Black love stories not infused with overt comedy. Comedy paces a film, and without it, were left to stew in the aches of an all too real love that takes work. That can get uncomfortable. It can leave you having a tougher time investing in this honest love story were sharing with these characters and, if you can't relate, you can feel detached. I contend, its these smaller love stories that make this film all the more special. THE PHOTOGRAPH should serve as a reminder of the small stories in our own lives we take for granted we don't get the chance to see play out in cinema and how fighting for love is always worth it.

THE PHOTOGRAPH (2020) is simply gorgeous. I'm filled with pride over this film's production, its intention of offering a Black Love story, lead by a majority Black Cast, centered on these characters not in a Black Struggle, written and directed by a Black Woman, and catered to an audience that needs more of these narratives on the big screen to normalize the small stories we should celebrate of our Black experience, but is also universal as well.

Rotten Tomatoes: 75%

Metacritic: 63

One Movie Punch: 9.0/10

THE PHOTOGRAPH (2020) is rated PG-13 and is currently playing in theaters.