Conclave - Timely and Nuanced (if a bit too loud at times)

 

Playing in Theaters 

    Stories about or related to the Catholic Church can seem like a dime a dozen, especially given its dark and questionable history (to put it mildly). In the days of The Hays Code (a set of rules that governed the film industry from the 30s to the late 60s), storytellers weren't permitted to mock religion or present priests as evil characters. In fact, many of the consultants for The Hays Code were ordained ministers. So, while I know some of my readers will take massive offense to my giving this film the time of day for a viewing and a review (you know who you are), please know that it is not, in any way, intended as an endorsement of the Church or its affiliates. This is strictly about the movie and nothing else! 

    Having said that, aside from a questionable technical choice with sound mixing, Conclave is a surprisingly relevant story with superb performances, timely commentary, and an important message about humanity and the need for change. Much to my delight, this film is much different than you might have expected. 

    The story follows Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) as he organizes and oversees the traditional election of the next Pope by all the Cardinals of the Church, known as the Conclave, wherein the Cardinals are locked away and left to deliberate and vote, requiring a 2/3 majority to secure the position. With the help and advice of his trusted friend, Cardinal Bellini (Stanley Tucci), Lawrence will uncover strange secrets and discover unexpected revelations about himself and his duty. 

    The film is loaded with outstanding performances and witty writing, its strong suits. Stanley Tucci especially has the best scenes in the film. Although Ralph Fiennes delivers the best speech early in the film, I won't spoil any details here, but it can apply to about anything in the world, as it should. 

    Funny enough, the film's weakest point is also its loudest. The sound mixing unusually raised the volume of some scenes to obscene heights, to the point where I regretted not having earplugs with me at the time. Initially, I couldn't determine if it was some kind of artistic choice or if the sound system in the theater wasn't correctly calibrated. As the film went on, I realized that it was a deliberate artistic choice meant to emphasize the protagonist's mindset, which was utilized effectively in parts of the film but improperly balanced in others. 

    Aside from improperly executed sound mixing and a runtime that could have been shortened by at least twenty minutes, Conclave is a welcome story of doubt, clarity, and much-appreciated advocacy for change and openness. Much like one of my favorite movies, Keeping The Faith, this is not a story about priests but rather a tale about clashing personalities and ideologies who happen to be priests. While I recommend you check out this film, I do not recommend seeing it in theaters. Wait for it to come out on VOD, where you can include subtitles and volume control. 

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

The Last Rifleman - Sweet and Sour

 

Rent on Apple TV, Amazon, and Microsoft 

    Films about WW2 military veterans can seem like a dime a dozen these days. That is by no means meant to discredit or insult those who bravely fought for their respective countries against the Nazi regime; merely to say that, more often than not, a lot of these kinds of films tend to follow a similar pattern, albeit for obvious and understandable reasons. While today's subject, The Last Rifleman, is no stranger to the hallmarks of a typical WW2 veteran story, it earns many bonus points for being a much more human story that is only tangentially linked to what was once called the war to end all wars; delivering a powerhouse performance from a fantastic actor and a heartwarming story about the nature of love itself. 

    The story follows a 92-year-old Irish WW2 vet named Artie Crawford (Pierce Brosnan) who just lost his wife of 68 years on the eve of the D-Day anniversary. Despite multiple health issues, not to mention the recommendations of his nursing home friends, Artie makes a daring effort to reach France in time for the anniversary. Most people are under the impression that his journey is for his fallen comrades, and while they are partially correct, Artie is on a mission of much greater significance that just might catch you off guard. 

    I have always had a great deal of respect and a soft spot for people who have willingly risked their lives to serve their country, an act I have yet to believe myself capable of taking. While I consider myself a patriot to a degree, and I have at least a few things in my life I will gladly risk my life for, it pales in comparison to the courage demonstrated by those who have genuinely faced down the barrel of a gun; something I hope I never find myself doing but hope to be prepared for the right reasons should such an event come to pass. 

    But I digress. 

    The film is a fun, albeit occasionally heavy, escape story about a man trying to achieve one last critical mission before his time ends. His journey brings him into conversation with many different generations and perspectives of conflict, both old and new, that paint a portrait of the world we built based on past events. Not to mention the importance of learning from history, both your own and that of others. 

    Pierce Brosnan delivers a stellar performance with great-looking make-up to boot. Although in his early 70s. Mr. Brosnan succeeds in portraying a much older and hindered elderly person, along with the necessary emotional weight for such a character. His performance is further enhanced by the fantastic supporting characters he encounters on his journey. 

    The script is decently crafted with enough nuance and comic relief to deliver a balanced narrative. 

    Typically, this is where I would provide my nitpicks about the cinematography for being too uniform and "blurry background" heavy for its own good. Still, given the nature of the story and the quality of the performances, I am inclined to give it a pass. 

    The Last Rifleman may not be as visceral as other WW2 movies from before. Still, it is a heartwarming story about compassion and the importance of occasionally partaking in a little act of rebellion in some form or other for the greater good. If you're in the mood for a good story with an unexpected turn, check this one out. Also, have tissues handy; you'll likely need them. 

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

Stand and Resist

 

My Beautiful Readers, 

    This week, an unfortunate, heartbreaking, and vile historical event has occurred. We were shown a portion of our nation's sad and true colors and reminded of how grossly inadequate such essential elements of American society (education, opportunity, individualism, etc.) have become. A twice impeached, liable sexual predator, noted fraudster, and convicted felon has been given the highest authority in our country by acts of arrogance, ignorance, and apathy, among many other things! 

    While this blog has always been about the magic of movies and their essential role in satisfying the occasional need for healthy escapism, I could not, in good conscience, remain silent on my platform about this travesty. I have witnessed it and, like you all, must live with it for the foreseeable future. 

    Rest assured, I plan to continue writing entries about movies and cinematically related topics for as long as I can type, and if you will all still enjoy my observations and wit. 

    Our future may be bleak, but it is not lost! There are still too many things to be done and many possibilities to consider! I may be nothing more than a man with a keyboard, but I will use what I have, along with all that I am, to stand up for the America I believe in, and I hope you will all stand with me in your own way. 

    Please, don't give up. Stay safe, remain resolute, and above all, RESIST THE DICTATORSHIP!!!

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

"A patriot must always be ready to defend his country against his government." 

-Edward Abbey

Alien: Romulus - Nostalga Meets Modern

 

Rent on Apple TV, Amazon, and Microsoft 

(While you still can) 

    The Alien franchise has been no stranger to the ups and downs that can befall any beloved nostalgic property in the Hollywood system: cynically motivated sequels, ill-fated spin-offs, and concepts for better movies abandoned by the wayside (see Neill Blomkamp's concept for what could have been a proper Alien 3). After the painful trainwreck that was Alien: Covenant, there seemed to be little to no hope for a proper return to form for this classic horror franchise, not to mention little hope for Ridley Scott to ever rediscover his edge as a director (at least, that was the feeling at the time). 

    Alien: Romulus succeeds in utilizing nostalgia the same way it was expertly executed in Spider-Man: No Way Home, giving enough of a wink and a nod to the long-time fans while maintaining its own individual identity as a coherent story. Throw in some good old-fashioned practical effects and a few familiar bad-ass quotes for good measure, not to mention a star-making performance from one of the supporting characters, and you got a brand-new Alien movie with plenty of justification for the price of admission. 

    Taking place between the events of Ridley Scott's Alien and James Cameron's Aliens, the story follows a young girl named Rain (Cailee Spaeny) and her android "brother" Andy (David Jonsson) trying to make their way off of a mining planet that never sees the sun. After their petition to leave is revoked due to a shortage of workers and a ridiculously raised quota, Rain and Andy are approached by some old friends with a proposition: Just above the mining planet is what appears to be an abandoned space station with the technology needed to escape their indentured servitude and travel to their desired destination. The plan sounds simple enough: sneak onto the ship, steal the required tech, and fly away before anyone notices; made all the easier by the fact that the ship is on a collision course with the planet's asteroid ring, ensuring no evidence is left behind. 

    Rain and Andy agree to the heist and go to the abandoned station. However, upon arrival, they discover why the station was abandoned in the first place and encounter a whole new nightmare they were hilariously unprepared for. With few tools and options, the rag-tag group must survive their unfortunate predicament if they ever want to see the sun again. 

    This new film comes from co-writer and director Fede Alvarez, the late director of the excellent Evil Dead remake, and the supremely disappointing Don't Breathe. Alvarez seems to favor gritty and grimy aesthetics in his films, seamlessly fitting the tone and world of the Alien franchise. He also seems to favor stories about strong women rising to the occasion despite their fears and leading the charge for survival against unfathomable odds—a perfect fit for this long-running series. 

    The MVP award goes to David Jonsson for delivering the best supporting character in the story and the most unbelievable performance seen in anything this year. Jonsson shows many possibilities for his acting capabilities despite having a character with a limited range. I sincerely hope this talented man gets many more opportunities to show us what else he can do. 

    According to some articles, while CGI was utilized in the film (of course), there was an apparent focus on more practical effects. Many monsters were built as classic animatronics (and people in monster costumes), earning the film many bonus points. This is not to give the impression that CGI is inherently a wrong tool, just that it only works when utilized properly, which this film does in abundance.

    Alien: Romulus is a significant step forward for the Alien franchise. It is a grand return to its proper horror roots, with the possibility of similar engaging stories to follow. As of this writing, the film apparently only has nine more days until it is removed from digital rental platforms. It may appear on a streaming platform afterward, but I cannot say where. If you want to see it and don't want to wait for it to arrive on streaming (assuming it ever does), now is the time. It is well worth the price of admission. 

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