Review: Uncut Gems (2019)

TIFF: Uncut Gems (2019)

Okay, so apologies for the lack of reviews coming out lately. I've been a bit busy running around to TIFF films this past week but I finally now have some time to sit down for a bit and begin writing about these awesome and exciting films I've seen at the festival. First up is Uncut Gems - who's ready for more Safdie Brothers praise from mikegoestomovies??

The Brothers Safdie - Josh and Benny's - newest thriller stars Adam Sandler as Howard Ratner, a jewelry store owner / dealer who can't help but inject himself into shady deal after deal in order to chase the biggest score possible while simultaneously pulling everyone in his life into his dangerous and chaotic lifestyle.

Uncut Gems bears many similarities to the brothers' previous outings. It has a quasi-documentary feel featuring floating cameras and lots of improvisational dialogue. Like Good Time, the plot is like a rolling snowball where the inciting event at the film's beginning quickly leads to a cause-and-effect series of events - each one more frantic, dangerous and loosely-played than the last. Along for the ride are LaKeith Stanfield as a quasi-employee of Harolds, Idina Menzel and Julia Fox as Harold's wife and girlfriend respectively, and Eric Bogosian and Keith Williams Richards as two of the 'goons' Harold gets in trouble with. In a unique move, the film also incorporates some real life events and real personalities who play themselves, however, I think it's more fun to keep their identities as a surprise for the film.

Much of the film's hype has been about Sandler's performance and, in that, all reports have been accurate. Sandler is revelatory here (as he has been with most of his other dramatic turns), portraying a highly despicable but also entertaining individual as only the Safdie's know how to create. It doesn't hurt that there is an inherent level of comedy to Howard's abysmal griminess that Sandler perfectly taps into. The rest of the cast of characters, all of whom orbit around Howard's planetary ego, are equally engrossing and the cast all do a terrific job. As with other TIFF events, it is always awesome to see the cast and crew in-person during these viewings and getting an in-depth Q&A with everyone afterwards. Being able to see the Safdies, Sandler (on his birthday no-less!) and Stanfield in person are definite highlights for this year for me (cool also spotting Timothee Chalamet in the audience).

Overall, Uncut Gems is definitely one to catch. Its frenetic energy is hard not to get sucked into and tension only builds upon itself from the get-go. This might actually be a deterrent to some who enjoy their films a little tighter and more coherent, however, the Safdies know what they're doing and they have perfected this style of theirs over the past decade. Add Sandler and a great supporting cast into the mix and you have easily one of the year's best and most unique thrillers.

Review: Palm Springs (2020)

Palm Springs (2020) TLDR: An entertaining story of a man and woman stuck in a same-day loop, an entertaining story of a man and woman stuck in a same-day loop, an entertaining sto -- While not the first and definitely not the last take on the 'time loop' story, Palm Springs succeeds as a contemporary rom-com due to the strength of the two leads, the film's consistent laughs and shocks, and an underlying and compelling depth at the heart of the story. Palm Springs is yet another highly-recommended indie film that gives new life into a well worn genre and premise. The time loop setup has been attached to pretty much every type of story at this point from action to horror, drama to rom-com. Of course, one of the originals, Groundhog Day, may be the most similar to Palm Springs in its somewhat kitschy romantic comedy. However, Palm Springs has contemporary stylings in its honest and flawed characters, its edge and bouts of crudeness/violence, and its tendency to ve...

Review: How to With John Wilson (Season 1)

How to With John Wilson (Season 1) TLDR: It's hard to describe exactly what How To is or why exactly it works, but there's a certain point in every episode when the comedy begins to click and then the human element - the surprising poignancy and the everyman/woman relatability - comes out in spades. This documentary series is unlike anything else out there and absolutely worth your time. Who exactly is John Wilson? That's the first question that comes to mind when HBO's new documentary series is recommended to a new viewer. The name is in the show's title, and yet John Wilson is rather a nobody in the grand scheme of things as well as in the entertainment industry (at least he was prior to the becoming a bonafide hit). However, not long ago, contemporary comedy icon Nathan Fielder discovered Wilson and, after seeing his work and style, decided to jump on board as a producer for a new series made by Wilson. So, again, what exactly is this show? Well, each episode of...

Review: The Old Guard (2020)

The Old Guard (2020) TLDR: Immortal and yet still unable to elevate this one past your standard run-of-the-mill action flick. Netflix's newest romp-and-stomp, The Old Guard, based on the comic series by Greg Rucka and Leandro Fernandez, may give you that temporary adrenaline fix you crave but, ultimately, it is fairly standard fare that will likely come and go like so much other contemporary content. The Old Guard is about a small group of immortals who, throughout history, have acted as a for-hire squad. The team is led by Andy (Charlize Theron), the oldest (and most badass) of the four. The film centres around a plot by a business man (Chiwetel Ejiofor) who seeks to expose the group's incredible power so that another more-cruelly minded business man may distill and capitalize the group's immortality. At the same time, the group becomes aware of a brand new immortal (Kiki Layne) whom they attempt to integrate into their way of life. The concept - while not en...

Mike Goes To Movies

Search This Blog