Movies Reviewed: "A Complete Unknown" and "Nosferatu"

"A Complete Unknown" is the new Bob Dylan biopic starring Timothee Chalamet and Edward Norton, and written and directed by James Mangold. I'll admit, I was dreading it based on the trailer, but it turned out to be pretty good. The cinematography is nice, most of the acting is solid, and it's well paced. It does fall into cliche at times, but if you enjoy music biopics, they probably won't bother you too much.

The issues I had with the film didn't have much to do with the film at all, but rather a handful of outside references. Firstly, it's hard not to compare it to "Inside Llewyn Davis", a Cohen Brothers film starring Oscar Isaac (in his breakthrough performance) which was a brilliant film that followed a fictional contemporary of Dylan in the Greenwich Village music scene of the early 60's. James Mangold is a fine director, but he doesn't reach the highs of the Cohen Brothers, I'm afraid.

I also recently read the memoirs of Dave Van Ronk, who was a non-fictional contemporary of Bob Dylan (and who "Inside Llewyn Davis" is loosely based on). Van Ronk's memoir is a demystifying tome-- he brings all the big names of the Greenwich Village music scene down to Earth, and we see them as just a bunch of off-the-wall artists trying to get along as best they could. Dylan does appear in the memoirs, but isn't mythologized-- he comes off as another ambitious, creative hustler, albeit with an excess of talent. I adored this book, and I would love to see it adapted into a movie. "A Complete Unknown" isn't that movie, and that's not its fault. 

The other point of reference is that I'm part of a thriving (though much smaller) music scene along the Colorado Front Range. I've met a ton of interesting artists and experienced some truly sublime musical moments, but they were simultaneously smaller and more moving than anything in "A Complete Unknown". I can't relate to wild fame of the second half of the film, but the first half, when Dylan is working his way up, just didn't feel familiar to me. 

Ultimately, the movie fell into mythologizing its subject more than I would've liked. But it's hardly surprising that they'd take that approach with a personality as culturally pervasive as Bob Dylan. I suspect most people will enjoy this film. 

***

"Nosferatu", a film by Robert Eggers, is a fabulous updating of gothic horror movies like the original "Nosferatu" (1922) and "Dracula" (1931). So much of it harkens back to the German Expressionist movement, but it's done with all the production values of modern movie making. It's glorious! The story is operatic, and the actors chew the scenery with aplomb; Eggers' cinematic style is perfectly paired with such an over the top story. 

Eggers' films sometimes sacrifice pacing for artsiness, but that's not a problem here-- this movie is entertaining throughout. I wouldn't be surprise if it ends up being a breakout hit for the director, leading to opportunities with the big studios. That has ruined many a great indie film director, so let's enjoy Eggers while he's in the sweet spot. 

It also makes me a little worried for the future of the Dreamworks' attempt to revive the Dracula story with 2023's "The Last Voyage of the Demeter". That was a perfectly fine film-- very pretty, though not terribly exciting. "Nosferatu" is so much better while covering so much more territory, it could kill that franchise before it starts. Then again, if "Nosferatu" is a hit, it might supercharge their efforts. We'll just have to wait and see.

Whatever the case, it's a good time for classic horror. 

MRwOS is BACK!!!!

 I've been retooling my movie review show to be more of a succinct audio podcast. Check it out and let me know what you think!

MRwOS: Movie Reviews with Original Songs

Ep. 3: MRwOS - “Late Night with the Devil” and “Be Remembered”

 

I review a film about a Late Night Talk Show host willing to do anything to be famous, followed by a song about the sacrifices we consider in showbiz. Enjoy!

The Long & Wendigo Road

 

Beastly Beasts!

Beastly Beasts - S2E3 Very Scary with Gerry McCreary

Talk Show. Comedy, Sci-Fi, Horror. Gerry (David Coile) interviews a trans-migratory animal specialist (Troy Fluhr), Batman's new arch-nemesis (Les Seabolt), and a cryptozoological animal handler (Chelsea Kramer). Tara Card (Wendy Gittleson) presents the Scary News, giving the latest on Harry Potter, a cannibalistic game show, and phantom puppies! Sponsored by the Move Like Hell Moving Company.

Very Scary with Gerry McCreary is a semi-improvised comedy interview show that discusses aliens, the paranormal and wild conspiracy theories.

Check out friends of the show:

The Word Strategist

Rocky Mountain Geek Tank 

Very Scary with Gerry McCreary, Episode V1

My dark, comedic alter ego, Gerry McCreary, is back! This time his podcast has moved to streaming video. Watch as Gerry, his producer Helen Spitz (Muriah Summer) and intern Anna Morphic (Anna Yale M French) bring you Scary News, receive a future report from the Time Flusher (Troy Fluhr), interview religious leader Windsor Whately (Leslie E Seabolt) and enjoy a performance by singer-songwriter Dan Harris. Join us as we delve into the fearsome, the fiendish and the fantastical!

Episode 7: Very Scary with Gerry McCreary - Feel The Bigfoot Boss

It's been a year since I've posted a new episode of my fake interview podcast. This time around, Gerry interviews Jet Black about the mysterious connection between the legendary Bigfoot and the even more legendary Bruce Lee. He also talks to Buff Broelzebub about a gymnasium for the damned.

Episode 6: Very Scary with Gerry McCreary - The Scooby Gang

Ep. 6: Very Scary with Gerry McCreary - The Scooby Gang

After a bit of a hiatus, Very Scary with Gerry McCreary has returned! In this episode, Gerry interviews Scooby Doo and the gang from Mystery Inc. They broke up after their last case a decade ago. What caused them to disband? And what have they been doing since? Find out in this exclusive interview.

Vampire Beach Party (Dave's Co-writer Showcase)

My Co-writer Showcase back in July was, at times, pretty chaotic; but it was a highly entertaining chaos! I don't think anything exemplifies that more than this rendition of "Vampire Beach Party," a song I wrote in 2017 with Shanna in a Dress. She performs it here with me (without any prior rehearsal-- it was the first time we'd performed it together) and, without warning, I recruited Troy Fluhr to help us out. I thought it was good, sloppy fun, and I hope you agree...

Red Line To Mud Dusk

This is my second NEW Halloween song for 2018! This one was written with Todd Hawkins. We were just going to record it in his living room, but the weather was nice and Todd suggested we shoot it by some railroad tracks. From there we got a little theatrical, and I got to go crazy with iMovie. Enjoy!

Ep. 5, Very Scary with Gerry McCreary: Furriet's Soul Train Of Love

How do you know if your cat is possessed? What kind of supernatural creature would you have an affair with? And even if you'd never sell your soul, would you consider lending it out? These questions are asked and answered in this episode of my improv comedy talk show. Featuring Muriah Summer, Chelsea Kramer, Troy Fluhr and Eric Eric E. Farwell.
 

Ep. 4, Very Scary with Gerry McCreary: Sexy Lucky Astral Gun

What would you eat at an astral buffet? How do you calibrate a gun to shoot only supernatural creatures? What’s the best flatulence sound effect of all time? Get the answers and more on this extra bawdy episode Gerry's show (with a special tribute to Art Bell)! Featuring Eric E. Farwell, Troy Fluhr, Muriah Summer and Chelsea Kramer.
 

Ep. 2: Very Scary With Gerry McCreary - Undercover Alien Were-Bear

Hey there! Here's the next installment of my improv comedy interview podcast! In this episode I talk to a Were-bear (Eric E. Farwell) and an Undercover Alien (Troy Fluhr), with a little help from my electronic personal assistant (Laura Kistner). Enjoy!
 

Short Reviews: Tarzan Infiltrates the Swiss Army Shallows!

They've been making Tarzan films forever. Way back in the 30s and 40s, Johnny Weissmuller's take on the character was hugely popular, spawning several sequels and giving us the definitive Tarzan call. But after that, there weren't any terribly memorable Tarzan films until the 80s, when you had the critically panned Tarzan, the Ape Man (with Bo Derek, no less) followed a few years later by the better received Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes (I remember this fondly because I had a crush on Andie MacDowell at the time). But the most prominent Tarzan in recent years has been the Disney series, starting with the 1999 animated film and followed by several direct-to-video installments. Now comes a new live action version, The Legend of Tarzan, that attempts to resuscitate the franchise.


It's a diverting film, if not quite an inspired one. One of the things it does right is jump into the main story without dwelling much on the character's origin-- Tarzan's storied past is shown via periodic flashbacks; just enough to frame the larger tale. It certainly looks good, with adequate special effects; and I'm not sure how many effects it took to make the 67 year old Samuel L. Jackson look so spry and youthful-- he's clearly going to be a scene stealer into his 120s. Chistoph Waltz also does a typically exceptional job as a mustache twirling villain. The biggest problem with the film is its stars. Alexander Skarsgard is a capable actor (I really liked him in The Diary of a Teenage Girl), but here he gets cheesy-- his every movement is portentous as he stares deep into the soul of the world (do apes not blink? Is that what I'm supposed to get from this?). Margot Robbie (who I liked in Whiskey Tango Foxtrot) puts on this girlish American accent that I had a hard time taking seriously. The plot is somewhat confusing, but it's really just a set-up for its absurd-yet-entertaining climax. If you're looking for a summer adventure, this'll get the job done, but I'd rather watch The Jungle Book a few more times.

In Breaking Bad, Bryan Cranston played a chemistry teacher turned drug dealer savant (while starring in maybe the greatest TV show of all time). In The Infiltrator, Cranston gets to play the other side, this time as an undercover cop trying to bring down famed drug kingpin, Pablo Escobar. Cranston does an expert job in a role that requires several overlapping performances. The film itself is not quite so elegant, as it breezes through the plot points without giving us a chance to really get to know many of the important supporting characters. The film ultimately lacks some emotional weight, but it's worth seeing just for Cranston's performance.

Swiss Army Man is the strangest film I've seen in a long time, which shouldn't be surprising since it's about a suicidal man whose life is saved by a farting corpse. As the corpse, this continues Daniel Radcliffe's string of interesting post-Harry Potter roles-- some of them are so odd, it makes me wonder if he's trolling his fan-base. Paul Dano plays the suicidal man with his usual manic energy, which is 100% appropriate for this role. The two go on a journey from a deserted island back to civilization, with many lessons learned along the way. It is a truly odd film, but also quite thought-provoking. At this point, I'm not even sure it's a comedy. Where does reality begin and fantasy end? Is it a metaphor? Or just one man's fever-dream before dying? My first thought was that it was about accepting yourself for who you are no matter what society says-- but then I thought it might be a parody of those kinds of films. Whatever the case, take a friend with you because you'll have a lot to talk about afterwards.

I wasn't a big horror fan as a kid, but I've grown to appreciate how cinematic it can be. The Shallows is a solid entry into the killer shark genre. Blake Lively does an expert job as a medical school drop-out honoring her mom's memory by surfing an uncharted bay in Central America. The movie sets up the stakes visually in a clear and concise way, then unveils the horror of the situation with clockwork precision. It's the not the scariest film out there, but it doesn't throw cheap scares at you, either. Aside from a slightly confusing ending, I thought this was a great film. Genre-fare done extremely well.

Surprise! Ghostbusters isn't as good as Ghostbusters

The all new, all female Ghostbusters has finally hit the theaters, following a production rife with controversy. For the record, I've been a fan of Melissa McCarthy since she was on the Gilmore Girls, and I've enjoyed all of Paul Feig's directorial efforts since Bridesmaids (not to mention his great cult TV show, Freaks and Geeks); Their collaboration has produced some of the best movie comedies in recent memory. It's always risky to reboot a beloved franchise, but at least they were doing it with top notch talent; and with the massive, premature backlash the film has received, I've been really rooting for them to show up the haters.

I'm sorry to report that the film is merely so-so. That it doesn't rise to the level of the first Ghostbusters isn't a surprise-- even the original cast and crew fell short with their 1989 sequel, and they were all certified comic geniuses. But it also fails to rise to the lofty standards set by previous Feig-McCarthy collaborations.


It's not quite fair to compare this Ghostbusters with the 1984 version-- they were filmed in different eras with different comic sensibilities; but it's interesting to see where the differences lie. I'm surprised at how restrained the original film seems in comparison to the reboot. Part of that was by necessity-- special effects were both lower quality and way more expensive back in the early 80s than they are today; they were forced to develop gags more through the characters and story. But it's shocking to see how much broader the characterizations are in the new film. Kristin Wiig is the closest thing to a straight character in the reboot, but she's probably crazier than all of the original cast, save for Rick Moranis and (possibly) Bill Murray.

I do think it's fair to compare it to other Feig-McCarthy films, however. The last big ensemble movie Feig did was Bridesmaids, with both McCarthy and Wiig, and the relationships between the characters were strong and heartfelt. In Ghostbusters, they seemed a bit cursory-- just enough to get the story going. Both The Heat and Spy were female takes on classic male-dominated genres, and they did a great job of spoofing their source material. Ghostbusters could have used a bit more of that spirit; there were occasional references to the sexist backlash to the production, but I would've liked it to really cut loose with meta-commentary on the whole affair. My suspicion is that, even if the filmmakers wanted to do it, the studio wouldn't have let them. Anyway, spoofing a comedy that never became cliched is harder than parodying entire genres.


I thought the pacing of the film was questionable. Just as the characters were too consistently goofy, so were the scenes in the film-- there wasn't enough time spent setting up the jokes; they just came one after the other. I wish Feig had brought in a few lower key actors he's used in his previous films-- Rose Byrne's subtlety was sorely missed, especially with Kate McKinnon's constant mugging at the camera. The film also spent too much time chasing references to the original movie, while neglecting one of it's best original gags (I don't want to give it away, but they set it up in the third act, dropped it, then brought it back during the credits in a much less satisfying way).

That being said, there are some really funny moments in the film, along with some great special effects sequences. It's a disappointment, but you could do a lot worse at the cineplex this summer.

***

Bonus Content: Back in 2014, I picked my dream cast for an all-female remake (not a reboot or sequel). My picks were as follows...

Mila Kunis - Petra (Peter/Bill Murray role)
Mindy Kaling - Ramona (Raymond/Dan Akroyd role)
Felicia Day - Eberta (Egon/Harold Ramis role)
Jessica Williams - Winnie (Winston/Ernie Hudson role)
Chris O'Dowd - Dana (Dana/Sigourney Weaver role)
Kristen Schaal - Louise (Louis/Rick Moranis role)

Crust Never Sleeps...

A friend of mine recently found this old video. A group of friends and I put this together as part of the Boulder 24-hour filmmaking competition in 2008. It definitely looks like it was shot and edited in just 24-hours, but it actually won best comedy and best art direction. I wrote the screenplay (based on a story our group developed), did some acting and also composed the "Silly String Girl" theme song. Anyway, it's pretty wild-- if you appreciate non-sequiturs, you'll get a good laugh out of this one...

Movie Reviews: Creed, Trumbo and more...

My dad was in town over Thanksgiving weekend, and we took the opportunity to do a movie marathon!

Sylvester Stallone hasn't been a symbol of quality in a long, long time, so it's easy to forget that the original Rocky (1976) won Best Picture, and was a pretty great film. Creed (2015) is a spin-off of the original Rocky series, and it captures much of the heart of the original. Stallone plays a supporting role as the aging champ helping out his deceased friend's son, and the film is better for it. It was a pleasant surprise. Recommended.

My favorite film of the weekend was Trumbo (2015), starring Brian Cranston (Breaking Bad, Malcolm in the Middle) as the eponymous character. Dalton Trumbo is probably the most famous of the blacklisted screenwriters during the Red Scare of the 1950s, having won multiple Oscars while writing under pseudonyms. It's a very political film, focusing on free speech issues (a subject very dear to my heart), but manages to be incredible entertaining at the same time-- this film oozes with old Hollywood charm. Highly, highly recommended.

Brooklyn (2015) stars Saoirse Ronan as a young Irish immigrant in 1950s New York. It's hard to go into the film too much without oversimplifying it, but I will say that this film has some really wonderful dinner table conversations. The movie is a romance, both about people and places, and it doesn't wrap up in a tidy way. It will leave you thinking, so bring someone along to talk about it afterwards.

Newspapers have been dying, so it's no surprise that we don't see movies about newspapers so much, anymore. But that's a shame, because there's something thrilling about a group of intrepid reporters fighting the system and uncovering corruption. Spotlight (2015) revives that tradition as it details how the Boston Globe uncovered the full extent of the Catholic child abuse scandal. It's not perfect-- I think it sometimes goes overboard trying to make active visuals while relaying key information-- but it's a worthy entry in the genre.

It's odd that the movie is called Victor Frankenstein (2015), because it's really about his assistant-- though I can understand why naming it Igor Stravinsky might be a bad marketing move. Daniel Radcliffe plays this revisionist version of Igor, which brings a lot of humanity to the character. I really appreciated the first part of the film, which explored his origins in the circus and his love for one of its acrobats. James McAvoy is well cast as the mad scientist who enlists Igor's help in conducting some horrific experiments. The last act is a bit overdone and deviates from the focus on Igor, but it will satisfy those who need a spectacular climax. Overall, it's a pretty neat take on the Frankenstein story.

I prefer to see films in the theater, but we did rent the local film Ink (2009), which depicts a dreamworld where the benevolent Storytellers try to protect us from the Incubi, who bring only nightmares. One little girl slips into a coma as the mysterious creature, Ink, kidnaps her unconscious mind. Will the storytellers retrieve her soul? Will her absentee father return to help out? This was locally done in Denver, and won Best Colorado Film from the Denver Film Critics Society. It's an uneven film, but visually it's stunning and creepy.

The Last Witch Hunter: Cheryl & Dave's Review

Still hankering for some Halloween action? We'll tell you if this movie gives it to you...

Cheryl & Dave's First Halloween Movie Review Special

Cheryl and I were both out of town or super busy for much of the last month or so, so we decided to make up for it with our Halloween Special, where we pick 14 quality horror movies for you to sink your teeth into.

The Song of the Tainted Angel

I've been pretty busy the last month and a half working on Halloween stuff! Here's the biggest of my endeavors: a short film!