Tag: Alexander Skarsgard

Film Review: “The Moment”

A heavy psychological drama disguised as fast-paced comedy

Charli XCX and Celeste (Hailey Gates) making their way to rehearsals.

It’s hard to take in a movie like The Moment without knowing the context surrounding it. It’s a faux-documentary about Charli XCX’s first-ever arena tour, which followed the surprise success of her 8th record, brat. Prior to brat, Charli’s only top 10 hits in the US came very early in her career, and she did not receive top billing, despite being the primary writer on both “I Love It” and “Fancy.” In the 10+ years since these massive songs hit the mainstream, Charli has largely remained in a “cult icon” status, producing underground club bangers that united LGBT club kids and indie rock hipsters, but she never really reached the massive stature she seemed primed for. She *thought* she had it figured out with 2022’s Crash. But even her attempt to construct a perfect pop record fell short of the goal, and brat was the response to that–a messy, noisy, emotionally complex affair that was expected to bomb. Continue reading “Film Review: “The Moment””

Film Review: “The Northman”

Unbelievable physical detail can’t overcome blocky storytelling and a mawkish core

The Northmen doing their thing
The Northmen doing their thing.

In the new Robert Eggers film The Northman, a young prince in proto-Europe’s far north swears vengeance for his father’s murder, is driven mad by revenge, and faces his rival in a climactic battle. Sound familiar? Continue reading “Film Review: “The Northman””

Film Review: Long Shot

Cast is terrific, but this movie becoming a must-see is a long shot

Newly hired speechwriter Fred Flarsky (Seth Rogen, center) goes over his work with Secretary of State Charlotte Field (Charlize Theron, r.) and her aides Tom (Ravi Patel) and Maggie (June Diane Raphael).

Director Jonathan Levine tries his hand at comedy again for the first time since 2017’s tepid Amy Schumer/Goldie Hawn vehicle Snatched, and somewhat redeems himself. Long Shot is a bit smarter and a bit funnier than Levine’s previous picture, but, while entertaining enough, it isn’t destined to become a comedy classic.
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Film Review: The Aftermath

Knightley, Skarsgård helm predictable but entertaining post-War melodrama

In 1946, British Rachael (Keira Knightley) is none too happy to meet the German Stefan (Alexander Skarsgård, l.), despite the fact she and her husband (Jason Clarke) will be sharing Stefan’s Hamburg home.

With Jordan Peele’s Get Out follow-up Us opening today and receiving a ton of buzz, you may not realize there actually are a few other quieter, less high-profile films opening today as well. One of these is The Aftermath, an old-fashioned historical drama that, while somewhat forgettable and ultimately predictable, is a serviceable alternative for those searching for something less intense than Peele’s headline-grabbing horror flick.
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Film Review: The Legend of Tarzan

Tarzan comes out swinging, but just barely misses.

He Tarzan.
He Tarzan.

Tarzan of the Apes, written by Edgar Rice Burroughs, first appeared in the pulp magazine All-Story Magazine in 1912. Since then, Tarzan has been the title character of numerous novels, TV series, film adaptations, and more. It’s an old and valuable property, hence the ® symbol noticeably visible on the opening title credit. Now there’s a new Tarzan feature film, not surprisingly called The Legend of Tarzan since at this juncture there’s enough in the Tarzan mythos to argue a “legend” has been well-established. Unfortunately, the new film can’t avoid the blatant traditional racial tropes that were overwhelmingly present in Burroughs’ creation — after all, Tarzan, the hero who frees slaves and shifts the political and cultural course of central Africa towards the greater good, is a white man. Racial issues aside, there are still some emotional and visual pitfalls that the exciting action and stunning vistas can’t make up for. What does work about The Legend of Tarzan, in addition to a better-than-expected script, is a testament to the solid direction of David Yates (who directed the final four Harry Potter films).

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Film Review: Disconnect

Hope Davis, Jason Bateman, and Haley Ramm in "Disconnect."
Hope Davis, Jason Bateman, and Haley Ramm in Disconnect

 

In the vein of Crash, Grand Canyon, and Babel, Disconnect, director Henry-Alex Rubin’s riveting drama that opens today, introduces us to seemingly disparate characters whose stories intersect as the film progresses. Each of the story arcs is a provocative variation on the theme of yes, disconnectedness  – both physical and emotional  – in today’s increasingly wired, technology-saturated, online world.

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Film Review: “Melancholia”

Kirsten Dunst in MELANCHOLIA

starring: Kirsten Dunst, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Kiefer Sutherland, Alexander Skarsgard, Stellen Skarsgard, Charlotte Rampling, John Hurt, Brady Corbet, Udo Kier, Cameron Spurr

written and directed by: Lars von Trier

MPAA: Rated R for some graphic nudity, sexual content and language

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Film Review: “Straw Dogs”

James Marsden tries to reason with Alexander Skarsgard's muscle tee in STRAW DOGS.

starring: James Marsden, Kate Bosworth, Alexander Skarsgard, James Woods, Dominic Purcell, Rhys Coiro, Willa Holland

written and directed by: Rod Lurie

MPAA: Rated R for strong brutal violence including a sexual attack, menace, some sexual content, and pervasive language

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