Tag: Adam Driver

Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker Review

The Skywalker Saga Comes to a Thrilling End

How do you end a decades long saga beloved by millions and millions of people? Do you honor the past like The Force Awakens did when it started off this new trilogy or do you try something new like Rian Johnson (Knives Out, Looper) did with The Last Jedi? Ultimately, J.J. Abrams (Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens, Super 8) decided that nostalgia is more important than going in a new direction. At this point, I believe that Star Wars films are event blockbusters, very similar to films from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. For me, the reason I like Star Wars movies is because I absolutely loved the original trilogy and I even love the prequel trilogy (I hope that didn’t instantly burn my reputation). This being said the nostalgia in the film was easily one of my favorite parts of the experience.

I absolutely loved every second of it, especially seeing it during opening weekend. The crowd had an energetic vibe and there were plenty of cheers and eye-wateringly awesome moments if you’re a major fan of the franchise. I really enjoyed the story too! As displayed by the second trailer that was released, Emperor Palpatine, played by Ian McDiarmid (Star Wars Episodes I, II, III, V, V), returns to wreak havoc and retake control of the galaxy. Self-declared Supreme Leader Kylo Ren, played by Adam Driver (Marriage Story, The Report), attempts to take control of the galaxy as well in his ever-persistent journey to become the most powerful person in the galaxy. Rey, Finn, and Poe, played by Daisy Ridley (Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi, Murder on the Orient Express), John Boyega (Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi, Pacific Rim: Uprising), and Oscar Isaac (Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi, Ex Machina), race against the clock to try to protect the galaxy as the battle between good and evil, light and dark, is waged one last time.

The movie moves along at a (force) lightning pace. This didn’t bother me in the slightest because I grew up watching the original trilogy with my Dad and I saw all of the prequel movies in theaters… not to mention the amount of times I have watched them all at home. However, I guess for some it could be considered too fast paced, so it will be advantageous going in with that knowledge. The characters finally felt comfortable to me. Rey is continuing her training to become a Jedi, Finn and Poe aren’t exclaiming and hugging every single time they see each other, and Kylo Ren is determined and has dropped the whiny tantrum act. The stakes in the film are palpable and, in my opinion, honor the Skywalker Saga as a whole, not to mention this new trilogy. This film also brings back Lando Calrissian (Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back, Brian’s Song) and I can’t emphasize enough how chilling Ian McDiarmid’s portrayal of The Emperor is. Seriously, if you have young children it may not be the best film as there is some truly frightening imagery as my cousin learned the hard way (again, I apologize for not writing this sooner). The film is easily the darkest of the new trilogy, although I think Revenge of the Sith has to take the cake for the darkest film in the entire franchise; why the younglings, Anakin??!!

Needless to say it is up to each and every person to come up with an opinion for this film because it is extremely divisive. At the end of the day as an auteur you can’t please everybody, and J.J. Abrams clearly put his heart, soul, and extensive knowledge/passion of Star Wars into this film. He co-wrote the film with Chris Terrio (Argo, Justice League) as well as taking on directing duties. The film was another movie that was actually shot on film like so many other fantastic films this year. As I’ve said, there is something magical about movies that are actually shot on film. The film was shot by Dan Mindel (Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens, Star Trek Into Darkness) and contains plenty of classic J.J. lens flare along with some truly breathtaking imagery. Seriously, the desert scenes are amazing, filled with heat shimmer that make the film that much grittier. Luckily our main characters visit plenty of planets this time around, which offers up all sorts of beautiful and unique kinds of scenery. I’m sure the film will garner a few technical Oscar nominations too as the sound design and VFX are stunning to say the least. Again, it is a Star Wars film, so these qualities are almost a no-brainer.

The movie was edited by Maryann Brandon (Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens, Super 8) and Stefan Grube (10 Cloverfield Lane, Tully). While the action sequences were all edited very well, I didn’t feel like anything really stuck out as being exemplary or ground-breaking. The film was edited very much like The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi, however, they did have an extraordinary task of making everything feel cohesive as there is quite a bit going on. John Williams (Star Wars, Indiana Jones) returned one last time to score the final Skywalker film and he claims this film will be his last Star Wars film, which is bittersweet. On one hand, all of his Star Wars themes are memorable and unique, whether it was the main theme, which is arguably the most iconic movie composition of all time, or it his extraordinarily composed/performed “Duel of the Fates” in The Phantom Menace. On the other hand, it is always good to leave on a high note, and his score for The Rise of Skywalker is definitely a high note. Whether it be “Rey’s Theme” or the classic “Imperial March,” John finds a way to mix old with new in unique and memorable ways.

In summary the experience of The Rise of Skywalker is what you make of it. Unfortunately characters like Rose, played by Kelly Marie Tran (Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi, Sorry for Your Loss), and Maz Kanata, played by Lupita Nyong’o (Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens, Us), don’t get much screen time, which is another reason the film is being criticized, especially the absence of Rose. In a bulky script, I don’t see how their roles could have been increased, but alas, such is life. There are plenty of truly epic moments that any Star Wars fan should enjoy and if anything it is an extremely fun movie to experience in a theater. Be wary of bringing small children as the film is extremely dark and could be scary for them, and as always, may the Force be with You!

MPAA Rating: Rated PG-13 for sci-fi violence and action
Running Time: 142 Minutes
Produced By: Walt Disney Pictures, Lucasfilm, and Bad Robot

Marriage Story Review

Adam Driver and Scarlett Johannsen Both Give Powerhouse Performances in Noah Baumbach’s Marriage Story

Marriage Story is an inside view of the tragedy of divorce and how it affects all the parties involved. Written and directed by Noah Baumbach (The Squid and the Whale, The Meyerowitz Stories) and inspired by his real-life divorce, Marriage Story does a great job of realistically portraying the subtle and not-so-subtle awfulness of splitting up from a person you have pledged your life to. Things could have gone smoother, but they also have a son, Henry, which exponentially complicates things.

Adam Driver (Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, BlacKKKlansman) plays Charlie, who is going through a divorce with his wife Nicole, played by Scarlett Johannsen (Avengers: Endgame, Under the Skin). The film picks up with the couple in New York, where Charlie directs a theater company which Nicole stars in. Nicole gets an opportunity to go home to LA with their son Henry, played by Azhy Robertson (Juliet, Naked, The Americans), when she gets a role in a television pilot. The major complication is that both Charlie and Nicole want to equally be involved in Henry’s life, which only gets more complicated when lawyers get involved. These lawyers are played by Laura Dern (Jurassic Park, Big Little Lies), Ray Liotta (Goodfellas, Narc), and Alan Alda (M.A.S.H., The Aviator). The film shows the sacrifices parents must make so their children can remain as unaffected by divorce as possible, which having had no direct experience with divorce seems incredibly difficult. 

Marriage Story is one of the many films that were actually shot on film this year. There is something about film that is exceedingly more captivating than the much easier digital platform. I mentioned graininess in my review for Uncut Gemsand the same applies to Marriage Story. It was beautifully shot by Robbie Ryan (The Favourite, American Honey) and superbly edited by Jennifer Lame (Hereditary, Manchester by the Sea) who is set to work with Christopher Nolan on his upcoming blockbuster Tenet. The way the film is shot and edited conveys the tragedy of divorce without having to needlessly explain it with exposition. There is a scene that involves a gate that is layered with metaphor and it’s one of, if not the most beautiful scene in the film.

As for the writing of the film, Noah Baumbach’s witty script keeps the story going the entire time. We respectively see the point of view of Charlie and Nicole and their struggle to get through the divorce. The dialogue is written extremely well and is very entertaining, slowly helping us get to know these characters. While the supporting characters like Dern, Liotta, and Alda hold their own, Adam Driver and Scarlett Johannsen’s astronomical performances accurately portray the heartache of divorce. 

Randy Newman (Toy Story, Maverick) composed the music for Marriage Story, which is delightfully upbeat, yet incredibly melancholic revealing the troubling predicament both characters are in. Newman uses a simple piano melody throughout the film, layered with strings to add to the drama/intensity of the events taking place. The horns and flutes add to the whimsical nature of the film keeping it both lighthearted and incredibly moving. It is the perfect complement to an endearing story.

Marriage Story is easily one of the best films of the year, expertly achieved on every level. I highly recommend it to a mature audience as the language, understandably so, is extremely foul at times, not to mention the subject matter is intense to say the least. Plenty of lessons can be taken away from Marriage Story, a film which explores the vast emotional spectrum of the human condition.

MPAA Rating: Rated R for language throughout and sexual references
Running Time: 137 Minutes
Produced By: Heyday Films & Netflix