Animals Are People Too (sort of) - Separating Fantasy from Reality

"Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth."

-Marcus Aurelius      

    Recently, I reviewed the unique cinematic work known as Cocaine Bear: a horror/comedy (sort of) based on actual events in which a Black Bear consumed a large amount of drugs and, in the movie at least, goes on a murder rampage. In my review, I found the movie to be a decently crafted and silly romp that doesn't ask too much of the audience or take itself too seriously. It has a silly idea and plays with it to its fullest potential, which I appreciate and enjoy (ironically, sometimes). 

    However, upon publishing that review, one of my readers brought up something that made me feel uneven for not considering it before. That is the movie's potential (either deliberate or accidental) for influencing extra violence toward Bears and other animals. For example, the reader mentioned the Steven Speilberg classic Jaws from 1975, the movie featuring a killer Shark that was partially responsible for creating and popularizing the summer blockbuster. It was also cited as an influence for extra violence towards Sharks shortly after its release, causing an uptake in random and needless Shark hunting. 

    While I understand and appreciate (for want of a better word) where this particular reader is coming from and remain deeply grateful for the wisdom imparted from those comments, it does raise an often overlooked aspect of cinema: its influence and inspiration towards people's behavior and actions. It goes without saying that cinema has a profound and incredibly nuanced power to inspire, encourage, and even demand specific ideologies and philosophies through elegant simplicity. They can range from simple and harmless (like fashion choices) to potentially dangerous and incredibly harmful (like propaganda). The question is, at what point do you draw the line between harmless fun and reckless endangerment? 

    Separating art from the artist and, by extension, fantasy from reality, regardless of any external factors and influences, whether deliberate or not, is one of my primary practices as an artist and a critic. Most of the time, I make great efforts to judge the work independently. When I watched and reviewed Cocaine Bear, my opinions formed therein were purely based on the movie...as a movie! In recognizing it as nothing more than a wacky (albeit gory) bit of schlock with no real purpose other than to provide a bit of controlled insanity for entertainment value, I didn't see any cause for alarm. And right there is the heart of the potential issue that is far too easy for people like ourselves to overlook: the ability to appropriately separate fantasy from reality. 

    Of the many changes to our existence on this piece of solar driftwood in the 21st century, the most egregious and dangerous is the alarming number of people who don't know how to separate fantasy from reality. Even worse, some have worked or currently work in the government. I shouldn't point out anyone, specifically, *cough* Donald Trump *cough* Marjorie Taylor Greene *cough*. Still, these people are so disconnected from reality it has caused and continues to cause deadly repercussions for the rest of us. Once more, these people are easily manipulated and overly influenced by the wrong sources of information and inspiration. 

    While you and I are more likely capable of recognizing art as a subjective medium, separating fantasy from reality and enjoying the silliness of it all, the unfortunate fact is that there are far too many people out there who have yet to learn this all-important discipline and, in all likelihood, never will, either due to a lack of internal motivation or negative reinforcement from too many loud external sources. I'm looking at you, FOX News! 

    While I stand by my initial appraisal of Cocaine Bear as a silly romp, I also recognize that it's not a great movie by any stretch of the imagination, nor is it best suited for all audiences. This is a point I mentioned in my review, though not as strong as I should have, in all fairness. I do not regret finding some level of enjoyment from the movie. I do, however, regret that there are too many people out there who do not share my discipline of separating art from reality and will likely use their improperly placed inspiration to cause significant harm to others, in this case, other Bears who are otherwise just living their lives in no direct conflict with anyone. 

    Moving forward, I will be more mindful of this and other mind-bending aspects of our reality in my reviews and discussions here on my blog. I may not be able to control how people are influenced by a movie, but I can at least make it abundantly clear what kind of inspiration they should likely consider the most. Remember to take everything you see, hear, read, and witness with a grain of salt. Because someone has to. 

Ladies & gentlemen, I am TheNorm; thank you all for reading. 

Cocaine Bear - Meme The Movie

 

Streaming on Peacock 

Rent on Google Play and YouTube 

Purchase on Apple TV

    In 1985, a would-be drug smuggler airdropped multiple duffle bags of cocaine over a Georgia National Forest before falling to his death, most likely due to a parachute malfunction. Upon further investigation, a Black Bear was found to have consumed over twenty million dollars worth of the substance, having likely overdosed and suffered cerebral hemorrhaging and heart failure. None of the cocaine has ever been recovered, and no other victims have been identified. In fact, the only other noteworthy thing to come out of this event is this meme:

    Then, at some point, newcomer screenwriter Jimmy Warden wondered, "what if the bear didn't die from the cocaine?" That thought experiment formed a screenplay, which then found its way into Universal Studios. It was then green-lit and made into the unbelievably silly and entertaining romp known as Cocaine Bear. A man vs. nature horror/comedy that isn't ashamed of its bombastic nature. While some may take offense to the graphic violence and crude humor, it is a movie that is entirely aware of what it is and chooses to have a blast. It's an excellent demonstration that just because you don't have to do a good job doesn't mean you shouldn't. 

    The film is a series of interconnected vignettes brought together by the shared interactions with a drugged-up apex predator. While the B-stories are standard fair, they are still well told and decently integrated into the film. The movie doesn't have a main story so much as it has a singular plot element that brings all the human fodder together for the central attraction. That, of course, being the well-integrated CGI Bear, the not-so-silent star of the show.

    A fair warning for the potentially squeamish is in order. With a concept as out-there as a Bear high on cocaine, it's unreasonable not to expect graphic violence, and the film does not shy away from the effects a rampaging animal can have on the human body. At the very least, it stays within its welcome and is utilized with just enough taste to maintain its intended impact. 

     Aside from a few questionable editing choices and one or two off-beat character moments, Cocaine Bear is a silly and entertaining cheese-fest that, while not for everyone, will provide some unexpected laughs, decent scares, and a reminder of one of the most essential guidelines to filmmaking. There is no such thing as a bad idea for a movie, only bad executions of ideas. 

Ladies & gentlemen, I am TheNorm; thank you all for reading. 

Lackadaisy - A Tommy Gun Drum Full of Delight

 

Streaming on YouTube 

    The animation creators are some of the most unsung heroes of the early stages of the pandemic. When traditional live-action film and theater-going was no longer safe for anyone, animators picked up the slack, practically keeping the entertainment industry afloat. Sadly, rather than receiving well-deserved recognition for their efforts and artistic integrity, most simply relegated them back to the outdated (and stupid) perception as a genre strictly for children rather than an artistic medium. When Acadamy Award Winner Guillermo del Toro has to argue this very case at multiple award ceremonies, you know that not enough people are listening. 

    In the West, animation is only recognized as "adult" or "mature" if it's outrageously vulgar or mindlessly graphic. Meanwhile, studios allow unpolished turds like Norm of the North a wide theatrical release for no sound reason other than terrible apathy. 

    So, imagine my delight and pleasant surprise when I stumbled upon Lackadaisy: a pilot for an animated series starring anthropomorphic cats set in the Prohibition era with all that would entail. Make no mistake; this is not a children's series, nor is it yet another vain attempt to emulate the success of "adult" cartoons like Family Guy. This is, without a doubt, a serious drama with a perfect balance of mature storytelling and lighthearted levity that aims to put the closed-minded Western perception of animation to rest. It is also a labor of love, a gorgeous demonstration of hand-drawn animations' beauty, and a fresh take on a classic genre. 

  As much as I would love to discuss this further, I want you to stop reading and see this incredible work for yourself. You can find a link to it below and a link to the creator's website. Please see this fantastic creation for yourself and give the creators as much love and support as possible. We need more animated entertainment like this! 

Ladies & gentlemen, I am TheNorm; thank you all for reading. 

Lackadaisy on YouTube

Creators Website

The Last of Us (Full Series Review) - Loving it the Way it Wants me to

 

Streaming on HBO Max 

    I have commented many times before on this blog about the state of video game adaptations, both good and bad. I've seen once-funny comedians fail miserably to pay homage to the glory days of gaming's past. I have seen filmmakers ignore a game's identity in favor of inappropriate "artistic license." I have only seen one decent film adaptation of a video game property merely because the director took the time to understand the material. Having watched and enjoyed the HBO Max adaptation of one of my favorite video games, I can add another to my list of adaptations to succeed in every possible way. 

    The series faithfully adapts the game's story to the screen and adds extra layers of texture that further enhance the characters and narrative themes. It's incredible for those who haven't played the game and more so for those who have. The times when it deviated from the source material turned out to be for the better and proved themselves to be more fantastic than I could have believed possible. I found no aspects of this glorious adaptation unnecessary, unfounded, or unworthy of my total and undivided investment. 

    Based on the video game title from developer Naughty Dog and writer/creator Neil Drukmann (who also co-developed and co-wrote the series), the story takes place in a post-apocalyptic future where an aggressive species of cordyceps (a brain-altering fungus that turns its hosts into mindless drones) has wiped out over 60% of the world's population. Our "hero" is an old man named Joel (Pedro Pascal), who lost his young daughter in the initial outbreak and has been surviving by any means necessary ever since. Things take an unusual turn when he encounters a young girl named Ellie (Bella Ramsey), who is mysteriously immune to the fungus. Suddenly, Joel is tasked with transporting Ellie to a research facility across the country where a group known as The Fireflies hopes to develop a cure using Ellie's biological information. With the fate of humanity's future riding on their shoulders and with a world as dangerous as this one, they might discover what survival really is. 

    The series follows the story of the original game nearly beat for beat, deviating in areas where it better serves the story in the adaptation. Much to my delight, I found these deviations incredibly welcoming, and even some of them better than their original counterparts. While I will not spoil any details as to what some of these deviations are (that is for another blog entry), I greatly appreciated the discipline in not insisting on remaining entirely faithful to the source material. Finding exciting new possibilities and expanding upon them is one of the many aspects of this show that make it incredible, and I could not have been happier with the outcome. 

    The performances from the entire cast, especially the two leads, are astonishing. Pedro Pascal's and Bella Ramsey's chemistry highlights most of the show. Further enhanced by their apparently positive on-set friendship. While some may find Ellie's character a bit overboard and "trying too hard," I can assure you that it is intentional and vital to her development and growth throughout the story. It may take a while to warm up to her antics, but it will be well worth it once you do. 

    The cinematography is breathtaking. Despite the occasional overly dark scenes here and there, the images maintain a sense of contrast. Action scenes are filmed with just enough handheld-style movement to create a sense of immersion without compromising comprehension. Two aspects of cinematography that need to be improved in the modern age of digital filmmaking. 

    While some may object to the violence depicted within the story, this is one of those cases where it is in service to the story and not for mere violence's sake. Yes, one or two moments may make keeping your eyes on the screen challenging, but just like the original game, they are strictly for narrative development and do not overstay their welcome.

    I am pleased to report that this series has made me glad to renew my HBO Max subscription. Here's hoping more quality content like this continues to fill the services catalog. However you can, I highly encourage you to watch this series post haste. It is a remarkable adaptation and a stunning examination of the human condition in the face of devastation & survival. Also, a touching story about two people who might find solace in each other. 

    Unquestionably worth your time! Also, in case you're wondering, episode 3 (Long, Long Time) is my favorite. 

Ladies & gentlemen, I am TheNorm; thank you all for reading. 

Plane - Not as Generic as it Sounds

 

For Rent on Amazon, Apple TV, Google Play, and YouTube 

    A practice in movie making that is too often discarded or even discouraged is the subversion of expectations. More often than not, some movies, particularly action films, have a set list of clichés and expectations depending on the story: the know-it-all jackass who causes more problems, the one "in charge" who won't bend the rules for the sake of circumstances, etc. These elements are too often expected in most action movies and can lead to a less-than-stellar experience because we've seen it all done before, better in some cases. 

    Today's subject, simply titled Plane, features most of the familiar beats found in movies of this caliber but succeeds in subverting just enough of your expectations to render a fresh and enjoyably entertaining romp. While I might have preferred a bit more texture in some areas, there is enough clever subversion of expectations to make this film worth seeing, but only partially worth the $20 rental price. 

    The story follows an airline pilot, Brodie Torrance (Gerard Butler), who is piloting a New Year's Eve flight with fourteen passengers from Singapore. Before the Plane can take off, he is presented with a last-minute additional passenger, a recently arrested suspected murderer named Louis Gaspare (Mike Colter). Once in the air, they unsuccessfully fly over a massive thunderstorm, get struck by lightning, and are forced to make an emergency landing on a nearby Island. Little do they know that they happen to have landed on an Island populated by an army of separatists with a history of intimidation and kidnapping rackets. With the Plane's radio and transponder out of commission and wanting to ensure the safety of the surviving passengers, Torrance takes Gaspare with him to search for a nearby building that hopefully has a phone or radio. Can they call for help before the separatists find them, and can Gaspare be trusted despite his mysterious criminal history? 

    The film does a decent job of creating immediately relatable characters with tangible stakes and an even better job at enhancing their likability as the story progresses. The film also succeeds in utilizing the supporting characters. Each one has the right amount of screen time and uses it within the story just enough to avoid overstaying their welcome. Even further enhanced by everyone's excellent performances. 

    The action scenes are especially noteworthy. In an age of rapid-fire-editing and nausea-inducing shakey cam, Plane opts for a more coherent and stable style of executing the action. The first fight scene in the film is presented in a single take with a wide field of view, creating a stable sense of immersion and tension. Bonus points to the fight choreographers and stunt coordinators for their excellent work.

    The MVP award goes straight to Mike Colter for his delightful performance and engaging screen presence. Even though the film never goes into his backstory, he does a fantastic job conveying a sense of nobility. While I preferred a bit more texture to his character in some backstory, there is enough here to render his character satisfactory. 

    Although my favorite supporting character has to be Scarsdale (Tony Goldwain), the one brilliant character in the situation room who recognizes and adequately responds to the unusual circumstances of the situation and isn't afraid to tell the corporate idiots in the room to shut up. He is my new favorite example of how to properly subvert expectations. 

    Despite not having as much texture to some of the supporting characters as I might have preferred, and maybe one or two questionable moments & special effects sequences (not to mention an overly generic title), Plane is a satisfying little adventure with enjoyable characters and enough action set pieces for a lazy afternoon. Although I recommend it, waiting for the rental price to drop slightly might be preferred. But if there's nothing else, Plane is a viable option. 

Ladies & gentlemen, I am TheNorm; thank you all for reading. 

She Said - Take Him Down!

 

Streaming on Peakock 

Rent on Amazon, Apple TV, Google Play, and YouTube 

    Harvey Weinstein is one of the most pathetic, horrendous, and irredeemable wastes of human life to ever walk the Earth! He is a failure to the arts, an incompetent businessman, and a monster in every sense of the word. He deserves whatever punishment he receives while he spends the rest of his pathetic life rotting alone and forgotten in his cold, dark, damp prison cell! His only talent has been convincing himself that his inhumane and evil actions deserved no consequences. 

    Anyway, let's talk about the movie! 

    She Said is a dramatic account of the New York Times article that ultimately provided Harvey Weinstein's downfall. Weinstein, then owner of the production companies Miramax and The Weinstein Company, had a reputation for questionable business practices and contradictory artistic decisions with the films he produced: making unusual demands like cutting specific scenes or adding unnecessary padding for seemingly no sound reason other than he had the power to do so. It wasn't until much later (regrettably) that we all discovered his power extended to repeated acts of sexual assault and misconduct on most of the women in his employ, including known figures like Ashley Judd and Gwenith Paltrow. Because of Weinstein's incredible power and influence within the Hollywood system, many of his victims were too afraid to go on the record, having either witnessed or experienced the consequences of speaking out against him. 

    What made the matter worse was the number of people who knew of Weinstein's inhumane actions and did nothing about it! Treating the situation as though it were "expected" in the industry. As if we didn't need any more reason to believe the Hollywood system was nothing more than a toxic wasteland. 

    The film does a remarkable job of maintaining interest and audience engagement. Movies about journalism can be challenging to present, as they often require specific and even expected techniques to create a strong sense of motion. Journalism, while a noble profession, can be tedious and boring to portray on screen. The vast majority of journalism involves gathering information through interviews & phone calls and compiling said information into an article for publication. This means most of the runtime is spent watching people talking (either in person or on the phone) and typing in front of their computer screens (or sometimes typewriters). 

    She Said takes all the essential notes from previously successful films about journalism like All The Presidents Men and Spotlight: creating a sense of motion in stillness and unraveling mysteries one layer at a time, revealing increasingly unsettling details. Not to mention diligent performances from the entire cast, steady & witty dialogue, and firm direction guiding it all. 

    While She Said may not offer much nuance in films about journalism, it is nonetheless an important story that needs to be seen and remembered. Those sensitive to stories about sexual assault may be comforted that the film never delves into a complete depiction of any instances of assault, preferring the power of implication to convey the severity of the incident. 

    Totally check this one out. 

Ladies & gentlemen, I am TheNorm; thank you all for reading. 

Marcel The Shell with Shoes On - A Little Heart going a Long Way

 

Rent it on Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube, and Amazon.

    There is a moment in this film when the main character, Marcel, says to the person filming him, "Guess why I smile a lot...'cause it's worth it!" This exchange of dialogue is this movie in a nutshell; a charming and unusual character who carries an entire movie on his shoulders and is only one inch tall. This kind of movie warrants the phrase, "they don't make 'em like this anymore!" With fascinating animation work and clever storytelling, a simple tiny shell purchased from a hobby store has been transformed into a delightful story of perseverance, family, and hope. 

    Said story follows a sentient shell named Marcel (Jenny Slate) who lives with his grandmother Connie (Isabella Rossellini) in a house for rent on Airbnb. One of the more recent tenants, an amateur filmmaker named Dean (Dean Fleischer Camp), decides to make a documentary about Marcel and his life. Dean learns about Marcel's sudden and accidental separation from the rest of his family and community and tries his best to help Marcel find them through online videos asking people to share any insight. Meanwhile, Marcel provides some heartwarming and intriguing insight of his own. 

    The film succeeds in making a tiny sentient shell feel tangible. It's a fantastic demonstration of how much character carries more weight than anything else in a narrative. Because Marcel feels so much like a relatable person, it's easy to forget that he's animated. A fantastic feat I haven't seen done so well since the first Toy Story. 

    Speaking of the animation, while it is top-notch and beautifully executed, I am left wondering why it was nominated for an Oscar for "Best Animated Feature." Don't get me wrong, I'm glad it was nominated for something, as the film indubitably deserves it, but how does a film receive a nomination in this category when 98% of the film was captured on traditional live-action cameras? I would like to know where this logic was when we all supported an Oscar nomination for Andy Serkis for his role in the Planet of the Apes reboot films. 

    Despite this somewhat confusing situation with its Oscar nomination, Marcel The Shell with Shoes On is a delightful film with plenty of heart to brighten your day. Absolutely worth the rental price. 

    Check it out. 

Ladies & gentlemen, I am TheNorm; thank you all for reading.