Tag Archives: Anna Kendrick

2023 Films, Crime Thriller, Thriller

Woman of the Hour-2023

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Woman of the Hour-2023

Director Anna Kendrick

Starring Anna Kendrick, Daniel Zovatto, Autumn Best

Scott’s Review #1,448

Reviewed October 21, 2024

Grade: A-

I never thought of Anna Kendrick as a quality film director or even a director. Her most notable acting role was Up in the Air in 2009 and I had nearly forgotten about her until watching the Netflix film Woman of the Hour (2023) in which she stars and directs.

She impressed the hell out of me in her directorial debut and since the film industry still needs more female directors I hope Kendrick keeps at it.

Woman of the Hour premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2023 but wasn’t released by Netflix until October 2024 so it’s technically a 2023 film.

Kendrick creates an intelligent work that serves as a compelling and taut thriller and a lesson in misogyny and objectification. Yes, it’s set in the 1970s and an argument can be made that society has progressed in that regard but not nearly enough as this film starkly reminds us.

An aspiring actress, Cheryl Bradshaw (Kendrick), who has had little success finding roles, is talked into appearing on an episode of the popular game show ‘The Dating Game’.

She crosses paths with a prolific serial killer, Bachelor #3 on the television show, 1978. He is Rodney Alcala (Daniel Zovatto) who is feared to have raped and murdered over one hundred women.

The audience is well aware of the actions of Alcala since the action goes back and forth from the present times (1979) and New York City in 1971 when he presumably killed his first victim.

I felt uncomfortable from the first scene and remained this way during the one hour and thirty-four minute running time. The film was too short.

Alcala doesn’t lurk around corners or break into apartments brandishing a butcher knife. Instead, he sweet-talks the women into posing for photographs or offers to help them out of a jam to gain their trust.

Kendrick doesn’t play softball with the audience. She gets the action going with a brutal scene where Alcala takes photos of a young woman in the plains. After he gets the woman to open up about her painful breakup with an ex-boyfriend, he strangles her. He revives her, then strangles her to death.

The victim is pitiful since she is already distressed over her ex. The audience sees a glimmer of hope in her eyes when she considers she may have finally met a nice guy. There is slight trust and it’s heartbreaking to see reality strike the poor woman.

Kendrick does it again in a side story from 1979 when events finally ended climatically. A young runaway named Amy, played wonderfully by Autumn Best, meets Alcala and spontaneously goes hiking with him in a remote location.

Best, through Kendrick, plays wounded not as victimized but as a strong woman with a will to live. Hardly cowering, she instead channels energy and outsmarts her pursuant.

I was continually impressed with how Kendrick weaved a thriller with female empowerment.

As good as those scenes are, the best sequence is during The Dating Game since there is so much going on.

We see the creepy Alcala and know that Cheryl will choose him. He knows how to schmooze, capitalizing on the other bachelor’s weaknesses. After he wins, bachelor #2 whispers a warning to Cheryl.

It gave me goosebumps.

Daniel Zovatto is a standout as the killer. His facade of Mr. Nice Guy made me trust him as most people would. He appears kind, friendly, and helpful. When he suddenly turns evil the actor gives a creepy smile on par with the one from the horror film Smile (2022).

I shudder thinking about the smile and film and Woman of the Hour (2023) has followed me since watching it.

An impressive directorial debut, Kendrick has the chops necessary to continue her journey. She acts well but her director talents are her superpower.

2011 Films, Comedy, Drama, Independent, Independent Comedy, Independent Drama

50/50-2011

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50/50-2011

Director Jonathan Levine

Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen

Scott’s Review #1,001

Reviewed March 17, 2020

Grade: B+

Cancer is an incredibly tricky subject to portray in a film. Especially tough when any comedic bits are incorporated- the risk lies in jokes not going over well or being misinterpreted.

In 50/50 (2011), director Jonathan Levine and writer Will Reiser craft an intelligent, genuine story based on a true story, led by upstart actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who shines in the lead role.

Comic actor Seth Rogen joins to anchor the comedy.

Healthy twenty-something Seattle resident, Adam Lerner (Gordon-Levitt) experiences severe back pain and is shocked to learn he has a malignant tumor in his spine.

Devastated, his world is upended.

Adam is usually accompanied by his best friend Kyle (Rogan).

While Kyle is brash and outspoken, Adam is reserved and mild-mannered. They are opposites, but inseparable friends. Adam is dating artist Rachael (Bryce Dallas Howard), whom Kyle despises, adding conflict to the story.

The screenplay and Gordon-Levitt’s performance are the film’s strongest elements. The title of the film is poignant because Adam is given the dubious news that he has only a 50/50 chance of surviving his cancer.

The young actor brings heart and soul to his challenging role, and his acting keeps the scenes from feeling clichéd or manufactured. This, naturally, is due to the excellent writing by Will Reiser.

He crafts a sincere, straightforward script that avoids razzle-dazzle but remains heartfelt.

My only criticism of 50/50 is that I would have liked a bit more darkness. As we all know, real-life cancer patients must endure the ravages that brutal disease inflicts. The film never really goes there to show how devious the disease is or what happens to the human body.

I get that the film toes the line carefully, but even after shaving his head, Adam doesn’t lose much weight or suffer other visible indignities.

The toned-down approach feels PG-rated rather than R-rated as it might have been.

This is largely forgivable because the film’s main message outweighs it. The film shows that love and friendship can be the best healers and the root of good, kind humanity. This is something every viewer can take away, and it makes the film lovely and worth watching.

The romantic comedy elements do not work, and I am not even sure they are necessary. The main draw is the undying friendship between Adam and Kyle and Adam’s experiences with other cancer patients along his journey.

Combining comedy and cancer is not easy, but thanks to exceptional writing and a talented cast, 50/50 (2011) succeeds in its aims.

The film and Gordon-Levitt earned Golden Globe nominations but missed out on Oscar nominations. If the film’s intended result is to ease cancer patients’ minds and provide meaningful entertainment, it’s a major win.

Independent Spirit Award Nominations: 1 win-Best Feature, Best Supporting Female-Anjelica Huston, Best First Screenplay (won)

2009 Films, Comedy, Drama, Romantic Comedy, Romantic Drama

Up in the Air-2009

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Up in the Air-2009

Director Jason Reitman

Starring George Clooney

Scott’s Review #573

Reviewed December 30, 2016

Grade: A

Up in the Air is a fantastic film, but for some odd reason, around its 2009 theatrical release, it was categorized as a romantic comedy. While there is a bit of romance involved, the film is a dark romantic drama.

The content is perfect for this period in history, with the terrible economy and the unemployment rate rising sky-high.

The acting by the principals is excellent and is worth watching, but do not expect a happy, uplifting film.

George Clooney plays Ryan Bingham, a corporate “downsizer”, who travels the country firing employees from companies that hire him. Ryan has no qualms about what he does and enjoys traveling around the country.

He mentors a young employee, Natalie (Anna Kendrick), who is more sympathetic to the people whose lives she changes.

Ryan meets another frequent flyer, businesswoman Alex (Vera Farmiga), and they begin an affair. He becomes a more sympathetic character as he develops real feelings for Alex, but will Alex return the affections?

The tone of the film is sarcastic and sardonic, and Clooney is dynamic in the lead role, carrying the film. He is charismatic and energetic, performing his work duties in an emotionless way.

We slowly get to know him better and realize, through Alex, that he does have a heart. Alex is a more mysterious character, and Farmiga is equally as engaging in the role.

When a big reveal is learned about Alex, the audience does not see it coming.

As the years go by, I hope that Up in the Air is remembered for being a film that was released at the perfect time, given the difficulties many were going through.

I love how the film carries smart dialogue, with the characters questioning each other’s motivations and becoming intertwined.

Jason Reitman and the screenwriter craft an exceptional film.

Oscar Nominations: Best Picture, Best Director-Jason Reitman, Best Actor-George Clooney, Best Supporting Actress-Vera Farmiga, Anna Kendrick, Best Adapted Screenplay

2012 Films, Animated, Comedy, Horror, Horror-Comedy, Independent, Independent Comedy, Independent Horror

ParaNorman-2012

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ParaNorman-2012

Directors Chris Butler, Sam Fell

Starring Kodi Smit-McPhee, Anna Kendrick

Scott’s Review #453

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Reviewed July 23, 2016

Grade: B+

ParaNorman (2012) is a highly imaginative and very enjoyable animated film that I admired a great deal.

Creative colors and images are key, and the film is stop-motion.

Despite being animated, it is not a kid’s movie but rather geared toward the teenage or older demographic.

It is among the strongest of the five films nominated for Best Animated Feature in 2012, along with Frankenweenie, a similar type of film.

ParaNorman is so similar to Frankenweenie that they could almost be simultaneously reviewed or watched on the same day.

Both center around an isolated young male coping with his surroundings, and both contain a light horror feel.

In ParaNorman, an army of zombies invades a small, suburban town, and our hero, Norman, a strange young man who can communicate with the dead, must save the day.

The film features sympathetic peers, but the adults present various obstacles.

I have gone on record as being not much of an animated film fan, but I do view the best of each year, and this one impressed me immensely.

Oscar Nominations: Best Animated Feature Film

2012 Films, Action, Crime Drama, Drama, Los Angeles, Thriller

End of Watch-2012

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End of Watch-2012

Director David Ayer

Starring Jake Gyllenhaal

Scott’s Review #447

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Reviewed July 8, 2016

Grade: B+

End of Watch (2012) impressed me much more than I was expecting. I expected a safe, by-the-numbers buddy/action movie, since the previews promoted it as such.

It was worlds better than that and threw me for a loop, in a good way.

The film stars Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Peña as two detectives patrolling the streets of grizzled central Los Angeles, which are riddled with drug and gang violence.

The viewer is brought along for the ride as we see a day in the life, if you will, of their cop beat.

The one knock I’ll give the film is the implausibility factor of a cop videotaping everything. This seems silly and unrealistic.

Wouldn’t he be incredibly distracted? That said, some of the filmings were amazing, including the opening sequence.

The film has a realistic grittiness, and the Los Angeles locale is very effective.

End of Watch (2012) feels painstakingly real, isn’t always happy, and the dynamic between Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Peña is evident; their friendship feels real.

The movie feels like a day in the life of an LA cop, sparing no edgy detail, and it doesn’t gloss over the lifestyle as many cop films do.

Independent Spirit Award Nominations: Best Supporting Male-Michael Peña, Best Cinematography

2014 Films, Drama, Los Angeles

Cake-2014

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Cake-2014

Director Daniel Barnz

Starring Jennifer Aniston

Scott’s Review #257

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Reviewed July 14, 2015

Grade: B+

Cake (2014) is a film about a woman suffering from chronic physical pain and depression that she constantly battles after a terrible accident that she was involved in.

Jennifer Aniston gives a wonderful performance as Claire Simmons, a grumpy, sarcastic, bitter victim of unimaginable loss. Aniston’s performance is the best part by far.

It is interesting to note that Aniston Executive produced this film.

Similarly, and somewhat sadly, Reese Witherspoon had to produce her own 2014 film (Wild) centered on a female role for both women to showcase their powerful acting chops.

Too few films about women are made these days unless they use female star power, which is too bad.

Claire has been through hell and back.

As the story opens, Claire sits angrily in a support group filled with other women with problems. One of the women, Nina, (played by Anna Kendrick) has just jumped off of a freeway overpass to her death—a giant photo of her glares jarringly at the other women.

When Claire probes the details of the death and uses a sarcastic tone, the lead counselor, Annette (played by Felicity Huffman), politely asks her not to return to the group.

Claire returns to her well-maintained Los Angeles home, where the audience meets her well-meaning housekeeper and confidant, Silvana, played by Adriana Barraza. Barraza herself gives a powerful performance.

Nina appears throughout the remainder of the film in visions as Claire debates suicide.

Let me discuss Jennifer Aniston’s performance in particular. I thought it was amazing and she was shamefully overlooked for an Oscar nomination.

She was superior to at least a couple of the other Best Actress nominees from 2014 (Felicity Jones immediately comes to mind).

Her character, Claire, starts as a bit of a shrew but gradually becomes sympathetic as the story layers out and the audience learns what makes her tick.

We don’t know how she ended up in her predicament at first. We know she was in a terrible accident, but it slowly takes time for all of the details to emerge. We only know she is in pain and angry.

Claire’s relationship with Silvana is interesting.

They spar; Claire takes Silvana for granted at times, but throughout the film, a close friendship emerges between the women. In a touching scene, they hold hands as they sleep.

Two scenes in particular are heartbreaking and honest. A man played by William H. Macy emerges on the doorstep of Claire’s house, and she is engulfed in rage at his appearance.

The power that Aniston emits in this scene is unrivaled. In another scene, she sees a portrait hanging on her living room fireplace mantel, given to her by a friend; she bursts into tears and sobs.

At this point, the plot makes more sense, and we feel Claire’s raw pain.

The subject matter of depression and suicide is not a cheery one, and Cake delves deeply into this territory.

The film is a bit of a downer, slow, and, at moments, drags a bit, and teeters on the verge of a lifetime television movie (yikes!), but MUCH better than that thanks to Aniston’s compelling portrayal.

With a lesser actress, the film might have felt watered down and safe.

Some light moments fail. For instance, when Claire “blackmails” Annette and bribes her with vodka for Nina’s address, it feels trivial and silly.

Thanks in large part to a gripping performance by one of Hollywood’s underrated talents, Cake (2014) takes a film on the border of being one-dimensional to a more dynamic level through its leading lady.

A supporting cast of similar talents helps the film rise above the mediocrity it might have been with lesser casting choices.

2014 Films, Disney, Fantasy, Musical

Into the Woods-2014

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Into the Woods-2014

Director Rob Marshall

Starring Emily Blunt, Meryl Streep

Scott’s Review #241

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Reviewed May 8, 2015

Grade: B

Based on the stage production of the same name, Into the Woods (2014) is a feature-length Disney film that incorporates several different fairy tales into the main story.

The film is a fantasy musical with numerous songs performed by the cast and features a large ensemble of seasoned actors.

The classic fairy tales are modern versions of Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Cinderella.

The action mainly revolves around a baker and his wife (James Corden and Emily Blunt), who are sad and lonely because they cannot conceive a child due to a long-ago curse a witch played by Meryl Streep placed on the baker’s family.

Circumstances surrounding the baker’s father caused the once beautiful witch to be turned ugly.

The witch offers the baker and his wife a bargain: if they bring her four items (a white cow, a red cape, yellow hair, and a gold slipper) for a special potion, she will lift the curse, enabling them to conceive a child and live happily ever after.

This prompts the couple into the dark forest to obtain the requested items.

From this point, the couple intersects with other fairy-tale characters as they question various aspects of their lives.

The witch is Rapunzel’s adoptive mother and keeps her locked in a tower to protect her from the world.

Cinderella (Anna Kendrick) escapes her taunting stepsisters and attends a ball only to flee when noticed by the handsome prince (Chris Pine).

Jack tries to sell beans to provide food for his mother, and Little Red Riding Hood brings sweets to her Grandmother, but is confronted by the Big Bad Wolf (Johnny Depp) and a strange woman, a giant stomping through the forest searching for Jack.

All these stories revolve around the baker and his wife’s efforts to retrieve the witch’s requests.

The production and art direction are great. I love the dark, gloomy forest, which translates so well on screen and gives the magical effect of a mysterious, secret forest.

I enjoyed the songs quite a bit- especially the catchy “Into the Woods”. However, some of the songs are one-dimensional, bland, and hard to distinguish from each other, let alone remember.

The duet of the Princes, “Agony,” is silly and useless to the plot, with gyrations and dance moves.

Meryl Streep- dynamic in anything she appears in again steals the show as the vile witch turns beautiful at the end. She has a fantastic mid-story solo number, “Stay with Me.”

One drawback I found is that, at times, the film drags a bit, and I wasn’t sold on casting Anna Kendrick as Cinderella.  Something about her performance felt lacking; perhaps she wasn’t as sympathetic or convincing as another actress might have been.

Also, I would have enjoyed seeing Johnny Depp as the Wolf more prominently featured and the Woman Giant given a larger role. As integral as she is to the plot, it was tough to get a clear glimpse of her face, let alone anything more substantial.

An entertaining feast of fairy tales in one film, Into the Woods (2014) has some compelling moments but misses opportunities that keep it far from the reaches of a masterpiece status.

A solid film, but not a great film.

Oscar Nominations: Best Supporting Actress-Meryl Streep, Best Production Design, Best Costume Design