Pep Reviews

Malcolm and Marie (2021)

Stylistically, this is a beautiful film. The black and white, the exterior shots looking into the interior and vice versa, combined with intimate shots of John David Washington (Blackkklansman, Tenet) and Zendaya (The Greatest Showman, Spider-Man)’s faces tells the story of a couple’s relationship over the course one night. There is a present-ness to it, like you are in the house with them.

Sam Levinson has already demonstrated how good he is at just making two characters talk to one another in December’s special episode of his TV show Euphoria. However, some of the dialogue, although it makes good points, seems too speech-like for a conversation between partners, and also gets a bit repetitive. It flip-flops between Washington’s character talking about his film and film criticism, and Zendaya’s Marie bringing up the fact that she wasn’t thanked by him at the premiere.

The characters’ backgrounds are fed slowly and precisely throughout the film and with more flesh to the characters comes more chemistry between Zendaya and Washington. They seem an odd pair at first (whether it’s the age difference, one cannot be convinced) but it gets better the longer the film goes on. As to the topics discussed, their love, his film, film criticism, race, makes even attempting to review this film a minefield. Critics are called out in the argument of academia versus the pure experience of cinema.

‘Malcom and Marie’ is available to stream on Netflix.

One Night in Miami (2021)

Regina King’s directorial debut is a great period piece set in 1964 on the night of Cassius Clay’s victory against Sonny Liston, and tells the fictionalised meeting of Malcolm X, Jim Brown, Muhammad Ali and Sam Cooke. Based on play by Kemp Powers (Soul), it tells much more than the one night, packing so much of these iconic figures’ lives and characters into less than two hours.

Kinsley Ben-Adir (Peaky Blinders, The OA) nails Malcolm X’s voice and mannerisms, and Leslie Odom Jr (Hamilton) gets to flex his fantastic vocal talent singing ‘A Change Is Gonna Come’. Even though the majority of the film is pure dialogue between the four men in one place, it is still dynamic and interesting. The soft lighting and colours of the motel really contrasts with the hard topics being discussed.

The film presents Malcolm X as the constant reminder that when black people act, they are seen to represent their entire race and how sometimes, it seems to come from both the black and white sides. It explores the four different experiences of being black and the subjects that they cover is starkly reflective of the conversations about race that have been brought to the forefront of society recently. King’s direction results in a brilliantly shot and carefully considered film.

‘One Night in Miami’ is available to stream on Amazon Prime.

Lost Girls (2020)

Netflix takes a look at the way that women and sex workers are treated by law enforcement in their latest crime mystery. Based on the true story of Shannan Gilbert’s disappearance, the film follows how her mother ends up becoming the detective in the search for her and her interactions with the other families of the four other sex workers that were killed.

It’s a very tense and dark story with some great cinematography, that is steeped in poverty and misogyny. Amy Ryan (The Office) takes the lead as a desperate and determined mother who works hard to provide for her children and goes to great lengths to find her daughter. Thomasin McKenzie (Jojo Rabbit) and Oona Laurence (Bad Moms) also star as the sisters of the missing Shannan.

One of the themes of the film is how much of a community comes together in the face of tragedy which is demonstrated by the group of women that support each other through the finding of the women’s remains. The film is very dramatic, intense but also compelling and beautifully shot. It sheds some light on a serious oversight of the police in Long Island, without giving any glory to the as yet uncaught killer.

‘Lost Girls’ is available to stream on Netflix.

Black Beauty (2020)

A modern-day reprisal of Anna Sewell’s novel, Black Beauty tells the story of Jo, played by Mackenzie Foy (Twilight Breaking Dawn) and the horse that changes and defines her life. Narrated by Kate Winslet, Black Beauty tells the story of her life from start to finish. It follows her journey from a wild horse, to a show horse, to trotting around Central Park. Iain Glen (Game of Thrones), Fern Deacon (Ackley Bridge) and Calam Lynch (Derry Girls) also star.

There are a couple of differences from the book: it is set in the USA, and Black Beauty is female in this adaptation. This might be down to the writer/director Ashley Avis and if so, then she has definitely put her own spin on it. The narration is a bit jarring in parts, particularly at the start. Because the animals are so beautifully shot, it feels like a nature documentary with a dramatic reading from Kate Winslet put over the top. On the other hand, the descriptive narration means that the literary inspiration of the film gets a nod.

Some British watchers might draw similarities between the film and a certain bank advert, but the story is pretty solid and dramatic, the acting is overall good (no cringey bits). The narration gets samey when it goes on for a while without being broken up by dialogue, but as it is aimed at children, it is probably fascinating for them to be able to hear an animal’s deepest thoughts.

‘Black Beauty’ is available to stream on Disney+.

Hillbilly Elegy (2020)

Ron Howard adapts J.D. Vance’s memoir ‘Hillbilly Elegy’ in his latest film. It boasts a cast including Amy Adams (Enchanted, Arrival), Frieda Pinto (Slumdog Millionaire) and Glenn Close. It focuses on a boy from Kentucky who struggles to let go of his family history and hometown. The film considers how one can decide how where you come from and who your family is can define and affect your life.

The structure moves well between J.D.’s rocky childhood and turbulent present. Adams does an incredible job as J.D.’s mother, a drug addict, and highlights the way that child abuse is perceived from a child’s perspective. It follows J.D. as he navigates the higher society of Yale Law School in a fish out of water narrative, but it doesn’t really hit as hard as it wants to.

The culture is an interesting subject to look at, particularly with the current state of the USA, and for non-Americans it is a deeper look into what it means to be a ‘hillbilly’. However, with so much bigger issues going on, it is hard to sympathise. The family relations are something that almost anyone can find understanding in, Glenn Close reminds us that she is one of the greatest actresses of her generation, but overall, there is nothing award-winning about this film.

‘Hillbilly Elegy’ is available to stream on Netflix.

Shawn Mendes: In Wonder (2020)

He’s an international popstar with a crazy life, but he’s still just a normal guy with normal problems. Shawn Mendes’ new documentary film shows exactly this, and not much more. If you are an avid fan of Shawn then the extra content will be welcomed, and as a precursor to his upcoming album ‘Wonder’ (out 4^th December), it is a nice film. However, if you were looking for some kind of deep dive behind the perfect popstar’s squeaky-clean image then you will be disappointed.

In Wonder touches on different parts of Mendes’ life: the struggle of finding fame at such a young age, missing his family, having a girlfriend, and anxiety. But this is nothing that you can’t find on his social media, as he is very vocal about his struggles and his relationship isn’t exactly private. There is one big emotional moment, when he gets laryngitis and must cancel a show, but nothing else really cuts through the popstar façade.

Lots of the trendy film-style footage shows Shawn at his best, singing, with a guitar in hand, and much of the song composition for his upcoming album is included. At one point, he voices his frustration at the perfect standard that he feels he must uphold, but this documentary shows little sign that he has overcome it.

‘Shawn Mendes: In Wonder’ is available to stream on Netflix.

Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey (2020)

Any musical theatre lover will enjoy the music, costumes and choreography of this film. There is a mix of old and new in this Christmas movie that is perfect for all the family. It’s a kind of Christmas-themed Greatest Showman-meets-Peter Pan-meets-Wall-e that begins as a fairy-tale being read by a grandmother to her grandchildren about an inventor who lost his ability to invent, and how his granddaughter helps him find it again.

The cast is diverse and bursting with talent. The child actors shine, particularly Madalen Mills in her feature film debut who completely steals the show. Clearly from a Broadway background, she is confident and sweet, with her solo song really lighting up the whole film. Forest Whitaker (Rogue One, Black Panther) is great as the grumpy grandpa and has some of the most humorous lines and interactions. The animation that goes alongside the main story is very good and so is the CGI although the actors’ eyelines are often off centre.

The soundtrack, written in part by John Legend, is full of well written and appropriate songs. They aren’t quite as catchy or hit-making as the Disney counterparts (but then, what is?) however, the vocal performances are incredible and the contrast of Victorian and contemporary really comes to head in the music. Keegan-Michael Key’s solo song is probably the most surprisingly entertaining of the bunch. Hopefully, this Netflix live action musical will soon become a holiday favourite.

‘Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey’ is available to stream on Netflix.

The Laundromat (2020)

Meryl Streep, Gary Oldman and Antonio Banderas bring us a story of capitalism, greed and tax avoidance. The film focuses on the story of a woman who’s husband, along with twenty others, is killed in a boating accident. When she searches for answers about compensation for his death, she finds fake insurance companies that are actually set up by the rich on remote islands to avoid paying tax.

The style of the film is very entertaining with Oldman and Banderas acting as narrators of the exposition with long side tracks as well as following their characters’ actual journeys. The sets are lavish and the graphics and animation are great tools to convey the confusing laws about tax evasion and avoidance. It is a great examination of the way that certain individuals are attempting to hoard wealth by immoral (but still legal) means and how they affect others.
The structure of several mini stories inside the bigger story is very compelling and really sells the danger of the trade and the human side of the bigger issue. Streep, as usual, gives an incredible performance and sheds some light on a very serious issue.

‘The Laundromat’ is available to stream on on Netflix.

Operation Christmas Drop (2020)

What appears to be a cheap, cringe-y, commercial Christmas film in the trailer, turns out to be a heart-warming, wholesome holiday film. Based on the real-life military operation of dropping supplies and gifts to remote islands over the Christmas holidays, this film provides a taste of the tropical after nearly a year of no travel.

It begins with uptight, controlling, independent Erica (Kat Graham) who is tasked with examining the airbase where army man Andrew (Alexander Ludwig) is a commander, and to determine whether or not it should stay functioning. It is very on the nose, and there are no subtleties in the theme or tone, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. They are the classic pairing of the Grinch and the one who is full of Christmas spirit.

A cynic might say that there is a white saviour narrative to the whole thing, or at least the idea that Americans can solve everyone’s problems, but it doesn’t really go that deep. The film is an easy watch with some great, Christmas-themed production design (aside from a badly CGI-ed gecko), and it is nice to see Cato from The Hunger Games getting a good guy role.

‘Operation Christmas Drop’ is available to stream on Netflix.

Ghosts of War (2020)

Skylar Astin (Pitch Perfect) and Brenton Thwaites (Pirates of the Carribean) star in the supernatural horror Ghosts of War which takes place in Nazi occupied France during WW2. The soldiers are tasked with guarding a mansion once held by the Nazis, which turns out to be haunted by the family that used to live there. The film starts with war on the ground, real soldiers working instead of glorifying the generals who sit strategizing miles from any action, which follows the recent trend of war movies doing the same (Dunkirk and 1917).

There are some classic horror tropes: doors that were locked opening by themselves, strange noises when nobody is there, jump scares and some light possession. The soldiers end up fighting two enemies, the Germans and the ghosts. Kyle Gallner gives a great performance as the unsettling and overly violent one of the squad and the set design of the haunted house is very well done.

Astin’s character as the main German translator does get a bit heavy with the expositional narration, particularly towards the end, but there is also a great twist that was very unexpected. Overall, the story was pretty original and the supernatural elements held up well.

‘Ghosts of War’ is available to stream on Netflix.