Seems like I almost forgot to post September’s Film Fight. Well, it’s here now with five films.
Blackkklansman
#FF18 Blackkklansman is an interesting look into a black cop who investigated the KKK. Its tone shifts from slightly comic to absolutely serious, with no jarring moments.
— Gary Fleming (@garyfleming) September 1, 2018
It has some pacing issues, and far too many ending scenes, but the cast make most of it work. Good.
American Animals
#FF18 American Animals is a clever mix of drama and documentary. The performances heighten the bad ideas at the centre of the heist, whilst the interviews humanise them.
— Gary Fleming (@garyfleming) September 16, 2018
The pacing is a bit off, and the payoff isn’t worth it, but it’s a decent film. Watchable.
The Predator
#FF18 The Predator is worse than my lowest expectation. A tonal mess, with crappy dialogue, tiresome comic relief, and nonsensical plotting.
— Gary Fleming (@garyfleming) September 16, 2018
There are a lot of solid actors in this who are absolutely wasted.
It’s not B-movie bad, but it’s a waste of a franchise. Avoid.
A Simple Favour
#FF18 A Simple Favour doesn’t work. I wanted to like it but it’s a tonal mess, with an increasingly contrived, convoluted, and kinda meh plot.
— Gary Fleming (@garyfleming) September 24, 2018
Otherwise good actors fail to remotely act like human beings in some places.
It’s now awful but it’s got very little going for it.
Hold The Dark
#FF18 Hold The Dark is as slow and creepy in the first act, as it is tense and brutal in the second, and tragic in the third.
— Gary Fleming (@garyfleming) September 30, 2018
Terse, beautiful, with excellent performances from a top-end cast.
Jeremy Saulnier (Blue Ruin, Green Room) has another classic.
The September Winner
The winner for September is Hold The Dark. Jeremy Saulnier continues to be one of the most interesting directors currently work.