Summer Flicks 2019

Last year around this time, I wrote a round-up of summer movies from 2018. I briefly ranted about my overall disdain for summertime movies. I must say, I've changed my tune about summer releases. Seeing that I've been living the life of a full-fledged New Yorker this summer, I've adored the outlet of film to escape from the summer heat. While not always stellar, summer movies tend to have a ~fun factor~ that tends to dissipate around award season. Take a gander at my thoughts on some of the releases from summer 2019!

Rocketman:

I've been anticipating the release of "Rocketman" since it was initially teased about a year ago. As a long-time Elton John fan and huge biopic enthusiast, I jumped at the chance to see "Rocketman". I must say, while I appreciate the quality of the film and understand its success, I did not find it to be a personal favorite of mine. It is less biopic and more fantasy, retelling select moments on Elton John's life in random order through song. As an extremely type-A individual, I always appreciate biographical films that not only honor the truth of an individual's life, but follow a chronological order. I find this to be crucial in movies depicting the story of a key figure's life - that way, if a viewer is unfamiliar with the subject matter, they are able to be properly informed of the facts.

Going into the film, I didn't know very much about Elton John's personal life. The sequence of events in the film honestly left me a little confused. Once again, I understand that the intent of the film is to be a fantasy as opposed to a biopic, but it just wasn't my favorite genre.While I may have taken issue with the sequence and styling of the film, I must give credit where credit is due. Taron Egerton delivered an exceptional performance as legend Sir Elton John. His performance was raw and vulnerable, leaving viewers with a newfound appreciation for Elton John's struggles throughout his life. Egerton was able to not only invoke empathy from an audience, but also brilliantly showcase Elton John's flamboyant persona. He carried the weight of this film on his back and delivered.

What I disliked about "Rocketman" is what many appreciated most. The fact that this fantastical biopic wrote its own rules truly allowed the genre of a biographical film to be redefined and open to interpretation. Another aspect of this film that I took issue with was how it handled the topic of addiction and recovery. As with many films about addiction, the film danced around the harrowing moments that are hand in hand with this topic. Instead of being grounded in a sense of reality, these moments in the film seemed to grasp for pity from the audience. The tone of this matter in the film quickly leapt from "woe is me" to Elton John breaking out into "I'm Still Standing" after his recovery (the truth of the matter is he actually wrote this song while in the depths of his addiction). Granted, I understand that a film of this scope is essentially set up to have some let-downs. Overall I would consider it an enjoyable film. As someone who tends to put movies under a microscope, especially biopics, I know I was not an average moviegoer. Once again, my highest praises go to Taron Egerton, masterfully taking on a difficult role.


Late Night:

"Late Night" is not the type of movie I would venture out to a theater to see. It's more of a "I'll wait until this pops up on Netflix" type of movie to me. That being said, one of the major perks of living in New York City is having access to many exciting film screenings. I was actually able to attend this movie for free thanks to the creator and star herself, Mindy Kaling! She bought out a theater in LA and New York to allow for audience members to catch her movie for free. If that's not great PR, I don't know what is. For anyone unfamiliar with this film, "Late Night" depicts Emma Thompson as a late night talk show host, Katherine Newbury. She is a bitter and, frankly, cantankerous middle aged British woman who works with an all-male writing staff. Her ratings are circling the drain, and producers threaten to pull the plug until Katherine can bring life back into her show. In an act of desperation, Katherine hires Mindy Kaling's character, Molly Patel, onto her writing staff as a diversity hire. Molly has no actual experience in comedy, but Katherine is desperate to keep her show on air. The film follows suit as one would expect a romantic comedy to play out, whilst tackling major issues such as workplace sexism and discrimination against minorities.

"Late Night" may have had a fairly predictable plot, however it depicted issues rarely displayed in film. This, plus its fast-paced and witty script, earned it major brownie points in my book. I've been a fan of Mindy Kaling's for many years now, and it is evident that she puts her heart into all of her work. This felt like so much more than a film cranked out in Hollywood's moviemaking factory, following point A to point B in linear fashion. This film has heart, which sadly is a lacking quality in many modern films. This is the type of film that progresses Hollywood forward, rather than pull it back in time. I can imagine young girls (anyone, truly) watching this and thinking "that's me". "Late Night" is an optimistic film that says anything is possible with some hard work and dedication. It is certainly movies with something for everyone.


Yesterday:

As you may have guessed by my review of "Rocketman," I certainly tend to gravitate towards musical films. I am a major Beatles fan, so "Yesterday" was another film that I was eager to see this summer. Let me be frank- I thoroughly disliked "Yesterday". I thought it was campy and borderline disrespectful to perhaps the greatest band to ever exist. Once again, I am a harsher critic than most, and do appreciate that many viewers would enjoy this film. I just wasn't one of them!

"Yesterday" tells the story of singer-songwriter Jack Malik, played by Himesh Patel. Jack lives in England and is struggling to make it in the music business. One day, he wakes up and everyone in the world seems to have forgotten who The Beatles were, except for him. He takes it upon himself to reintroduce the world to The Beatles and performs the songs as his own. Once I initially heard of this plot, I knew I would likely either hate the movie or love it. Ultimately, it could have been a great SNL sketch! I really wanted to love this movie, but I found the protagonist to be very unlikeable. He lies to the world, and as his fame grows, he gets incredibly cocky. In addition to the main storyline, the film also depicts Jack's relationship with his friend and manager, Ellie, played by Lily James. This "will-they-won't-they" storyline didn't do the film any favors, in my opinion. Since I didn't have any empathy for the main character, I found it difficult to root for their relationship to work out in the end. It felt as if the writers forcefully slapped in a romantic storyline. Perhaps one of the oddest parts of the film is the addition of Ed Sheeran playing himself. Essentially, this character is designed to launch Jack into stardom and help him and "his songs" gain recognition. I found this sudden partnership to feel very forced and not genuine in the least.

Sure, if you view this film as a lighthearted rom-com, you may get a lot out of it. In reality though, it undertook the massive task of reimagining the world without The Beatles. It is designed to be a love letter to the band, demonstrating how half a century later, their music is still universal and widely loved. Too much of the film didn't add up in order to make this objective credible. For example, one of Jack's main hits is "Back in the USSR". His audiences go absolutely wild for this song. In reality, I highly doubt audiences would embrace this song decades after the Soviet Union disintegrated. This film felt incomplete to me. It skated from one plot point to the next, just barely grazing the depths of each character. It didn't feel authentic in the least. The only way a movie with this plot would work was if it felt credible, as if it really could happen. As a viewer, I didn't feel invited into their world- this definitely is something that allows great films to stand out to me. "Yesterday" didn't hit the mark. Moments are funny and clever, but that is not enough to make a film great, or even good. It was lacking and ultimately left me disappointed.


Midsommar:

Ah, "Midsommar". There are only a handful of movies I've ever contemplated leaving the theater during (I'm looking at you, 'Mother!") and this makes the list. The writer and director of"Midsommar," Ari Aster, also wrote and directed last year's horror film "Hereditary". For the most part, I really enjoyed "Hereditary," so I expected to feel similarly about his new endeavor. Nope. This film was BANANAS. I honestly don't think I've ever seen a more off-putting, unusual film in my life.

This movie centered around Dani, a young woman grieving over an unthinkable family tragedy, who decides to embark on a trip to Sweden with her anthropology-student boyfriend. The entire film is centered around their relationship, and the plot alters as the dynamic between the two shifts. The couple, along with a few friends, go to a small town in Sweden to observe a midsummer ritual at a commune. The scene at which they arrive appears picturesque, with beautiful women in traditional outfits dancing through open spaces. Quickly into the groups' visit, dark things begin happening on the commune. Astor constructs his films as modern allegories, but to me "Midsommar" depicted pointless scenes of gore and brutality. I wouldn't describe this film as scary, I would say it is unsetting. I don't think of myself as one easily deterred by gore, but I was squirming in my seat for two hours straight.

The characters take many doses of hallucinogenics, making it hard for viewers to discern fact from fiction within their world. That being said, it is very evident that this midsummer ritual consists of a series of bizarre acts. I would honestly hate to subject readers to the details of these events, but I will say that one of the rituals involves a pair of elders plummeting to their deaths while a group watches from below without batting an eye. As the film continues, characters begin disappearing one by one. The audience quickly becomes aware of their unfortunate fates. In my opinion, there was not a lot to gain from scene after scene of brutality. I know that this film was generally well-received, however it just wasn't my cup of tea. I would recommend this film to lovers of films such as "Us' and "Hereditary" - to all others, especially those with weak stomachs, steer clear!


The Farewell:

Of all of the films I've seen this summer, "The Farewell" was by far the most meaningful. Awkwafina, who viewers may remember from her role in last year's "Crazy Rich Asians," plays Billi, a third generation Chinese immigrant trying to find her footing in New York City. She has a very strong relationship with grandmother, who is in China. Despite their distance, Billi is sure to regularly contact her grandmother, referred to as Nai Nai, to maintain their relationship. Her grandmother serves as a sense of warmth and compassion in her life. Billi's parents are often abrasive and critical, regularly reminding her of the sacrifices they've made for her. Billi soon discovers that her beloved grandmother has cancer. Traditionally in Chinese culture, families do not inform their elders of their illnesses. Therefore, Billi's grandmother is unaware of her cancer diagnosis. This is done in order for the younger family members to take on the burden of the elder, after all they have done for their family. They want Nai Nai to enjoy the rest of her life unburdened. While this is widely viewed in China as an act of respect, Billi is horrified by this discovery. She views this secrecy as unethical- after all, this practice is illegal in the United States.

While news of Nai Nai's diagnosis spreads among the family, family memebers quickly orchestrate a wedding between Billi's cousin and his girlfriend in an effort to bring the family together in China. Billi's parents didn't want her attending the trip in fear of their daughter unleashing this secret diagnosis to Nai Nai. Billi buys her own ticket to China, knowing she must see her grandmother at this time. Once Billi arrives in China, the audience is exposed to what in can feel like being a traveler in your birthplace. Billi quickly realizes how unfamiliar she is with a place that once was her home. I won't spoil what happens by the end of the film, but I can assure you that this film masterfully tells a heartbreaking story while weaving clever hits of comedy throughout. As was frequently noted last year with the release of "Crazy Rich Asians," very few films depict the life of Asian Americans. "The Farewell" brought a new light to what families like Billi's may experience. I learned a lot from watching this film, and believe that many can relate to the story told in "The Farewell". It is an important film, and am glad I caught it in theaters! 


Once Upon a Time in Hollywood:

My favorite film of the summer, by far, was Tarantino's latest, "Once Upon A Time In Hollywood". It is no secret to most that I am a huge fan of Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, and Margot Robbie, so I was excited to see how this dream team would act together. "Once Upon A Time In Hollywood" is truly Tarantino's love letter to Hollywood in the 1960s. At its core, this movie is ultimately a buddy movie about Rick Dalton, played by DiCaprio, who is a washed-up Western television actor and his stunt double Cliff Booth, played by Brad Pitt. Rick frantically questions what's next for him in his career, desperate to remain on top in Hollywood. Meanwhile, his buddy Cliff has a more zen approach to life. Working from one odd job to the next, Cliff's greatest joy in life is coming home at the end of the day to his loyal dog. Throughout the course of the film, we see Rick and Cliff doing their best to succeed in "the biz" while stumbling upon other influential figures of the time (such as Bruce Lee). Rick is encouraged by a top dog in the business (played by none other than Al Pacino) to make Spaghetti Westerns in Italy. Rick ponders over his next big career move, and it quickly becomes evident that he has some pretty well-known neighbors. He lives next door to director Roman Polanski and his wife, Sharon Tate (played by Margot Robbie). While the audience is exposed to parts of Tate's career, she is largely absent from most of the film. Many were quick to critique this decision, and I personally feel as if much of her story was left untold. However I think this strategy deliberately captures her allusive image in Hollywood. This allows the audience to frequently question how the film will handle Tate's real-life tragic fate. Things get even more interesting as Cliff finds himself led to Spahn Movie Ranch by a hippie girl he's infatuated with. After getting a glimpse into the Manson family, the audience anxiously braces themselves for what they believe will soon appear on screen.

In true Tarantino fashion, the ending of the film certainly takes a wild turn. Once the audience sees a pregnant Sharon Tate on the screen, everyone braces for what is to come. I won't spoil the ending, but let's just say Tarantino does what he does best. The twist ending was certainly polarizing for viewers, but I found it to be creative and exactly fit for the film.

One aspect of the film that I adored most was the authenticity of the sets, costumes, props, and so on to evoke the spirit of Hollywood in the 1960s. This film was like stepping into a time machine. Tarantino included several scenes where we see Cliff driving Rick around town, it is evident that the attention to detail is impeccable. From the radio ads in the car, to the billboards on the streets, it truly felt like the 1960s. With every turn of the head, there is a nod to old-school Hollywood. This attention to detail, plus a whirlwind plot guided by the incredible acting of the leads, certainly made "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" a standout for me. DiCaprio never lets me down. I genuinely cannot picture any other actor delivering in the role of Rick Dalton. That being said, Brad Pitt's performance may have even been better. He portrays this cool, nonchalant attitude throughout the film that is so believable. The duo really excelled in their scenes together. Their chemistry as great friends in the film was palpable. Tarantino's ninth film is bold, and was certainly an enjoyable, stand-out movie of the summer.


Blinded By The Light:

After being let down by not one, but two music-centric films this summer, I went into "Blinded By The Light" with low expectations. This feel-good film is based on a true story. The movie follows Javed, a young Pakistani boy living in 1980s-Margaret-Thatcher-ruled England. His family faces the harsh realities many families like his experienced during this time. Neighbors participate in racist acts. Javed's father is laid off of his factory job due to the job crisis at that time. Javed has a very traditional Pakistani family, meaning his father serves as the head of the household, and his wife and children follow his rules. Javed's outlet from his everyday stressors is writing poetry. This is something he mainly does in private, as his traditional father would not see writing as a worthy profession. Javed's world is turned upside down when a classmate introduces him to Bruce Springsteen's music.

This movie hit every mark that was lacking in "Yesterday". The audience saw how deeply Springsteen's music spoke to Javed, as if each song was written just for him. This music empowers him to follow his dreams and go after what he wants, regardless of what his family may think. Javed quickly befriends Roops, the classmate that gave him Springsteen's tapes. He woos the girl of his dreams, Eliza, with the help of "The Boss". The trio dance through the streets of their small town to "Born to Run".

While the heart of the film is happy and upbeat, it also brilliantly and realistically captures life of Middle Eastern immigrants in England in the 1980s. This family, among many others, experiences harsh racism and protests. The entire nation is affected by a national unemployment crisis. This film authentically demonstrates how music can be an outlet unlike any other in times of turmoil. "Born to Run" is a timeless coming-of-age film that will strongly resonate with audiences for a multitude of reasons. Unlike "Yesterday," this film effectively captures the power of music and nostalgia. Even if you're not a huge Springsteen fan, "Blinded By The Light" can serve as a great pick-me-up, reminding us all that there is light in even the darkest tunnels- sometimes you just have to know where to look.