Blog Archives
Flash Movie Review: Saturday Night
I CANNOT REMEMBER HOW, BUT I kept hearing about a new television show that was going to air on a Saturday night. The first thing that struck me was the fact it was airing on a Saturday night; the night most everyone could do something that was not work or school related. The other thing that struck me was the fact I kept hearing about it no matter where I was on campus. In discussion halls, the student union, laboratories; I would hear bits and pieces of students’ conversations about this strange new show. Only one friend out of our group had a television in their room, but they were going back home that weekend; so, the rest of us decided to meet at our student union building because they had a large TV room for the students. The week before the telecast, I was hearing more chatter about the show. It seemed as if every student was curious enough that they wanted to see what the show was about. I told my friends there may be a lot of students showing up at the student union, so maybe we should come up with an alternative plan in case we cannot get into the TV room. We pleaded with our friend to let us borrow his television and we would bring it back on Sunday when he returned to campus. He was not too thrilled, but we promised we would make sure nothing happened to it, that we would wrap the TV in a blanket before moving it. He finally agreed. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE TELEVISION would come to my room because I did not have a roommate, so I had a little more space for us to spread out. On Friday, four of us met up and moved the television to my place. Once I plugged it in, we turned it on to make sure we had good reception; all was in order and all we had to do was wait until the next day. Saturday came and we met for dinner at a pizza place near campus before coming back to watch the show. Once everyone had settled into my place and the television was turned on, we sat and waited. It did not take long before we were laughing and hooting at the television screen. The show was such a mix of oddball scenarios mixed with humor nuttiness; all of us could not stop talking about it after the show had ended. On Monday, back in class, everyone was talking about the show, some feeling the humor was directed at our age group, others loving the satirical bent used during the fake newscast. For the rest of the school year, my friends and I would squeeze into a packed television room at the student union to watch the show. All these feelings flooded back to me when I watched this biographical, dramatic comedy film. ON OCTOBER 11, 1975, A GROUP of young comedians and writers were hoping to do something different on television. They would not know if they would be ready to go until the very last minute before airing. With Gabriel LaBelle (The Fabelmans, The Predator) as Lorne Michaels, Rachel Sennott (Bottoms, I Use to be Funny) as Rosie Shuster, Cory Michael Smith (Carol, May December) as Chevy Chase, Ella Hunt (Anna and the Apocalypse, Lady Chatterley’s Lover) as Gilda Radner, and Dylan O’Brien (The Maze Runner franchise, Love and Monsters) as Dan Aykroyd; this movie started out at a frenzied, frenetic pace that was almost overwhelming for me. However, once I got used to it, I fell into a satisfying rhythm. The actors had varying degrees of likeness to the characters they were playing, but it was their acting abilities that made them believable. Since I was a fan of the television show, I got a huge kick out of watching this picture. I did not mind the holes in the script that could have been filled with more story about each character. Also, I am guessing not everything depicted was true and I was okay with it. Putting the pieces together, I had a fun time sitting and watching this film while reliving my memories of being there when the first episode was broadcast.
3 ½ stars
Flash Movie Trailer: May December
AS I GUEST, I HAD NO idea what to expect as I was greeted into their home. I was the “plus one” who had been invited by the hosts to come and help celebrate the holiday. As the front door opened, the host’s daughter greeted us. I had met her a few times previously, but tonight something was wrong; I could immediately feel it in the air. Her eyes were red, and the eyelashes looked damp as if she had been crying. Since nothing was being mentioned, I was not going to ask if everything was okay; I was not a family member, so I did not feel it was my place. We were directed into the living room where other family members were seated. The matriarch of the family stood up to greet us as we entered the room. Sitting in the chair next to her was another daughter, who remained seated. She looked at us and said hello with a slight nod before turning her gaze back to the fireplace. There was something going on, I just knew it because people were acting odd. It was as if they were going through the motions at a bare minimum, with nothing more to offer. We found two spots on the sofa and sat down. There was dead silence for the moment. I could not stand it; so, I spoke up first, thanking the host for having me for holiday dinner. DINNER WAS READY AND NOT A moment too soon for me. It was so uncomfortable to be sitting in a room with people, where little conversation was going on. Questions were asked to all on how they were feeling, and each person responded with one word, “fine.” I was hoping the meal would provide a couple of avenues to start a conversation. Platters of food were brought out, wine was poured, and the matriarch thanked us all for being there. Everyone acknowledged her comments, reciprocating in kind. Afterwards, there was dead silence again. As soon as I took a bite of something, I would comment on how wonderful it was, asking how it was prepared. I just did not want there to be this constant silence hanging over the dining room table. My comments on the food dishes and questions were politely answered, but none of it sparked the beginning of a conversation. We sat quietly, except for the clinking of silverware on plates and bowls. I could not wait to get out of there. It was three days later when my feelings were confirmed. Before we arrived, the family members got into a big fight because one of the guests refused to test themselves for COVID, after having been with a friend who afterwards tested positive for it. Instead of talking it out and coming to a mutual agreement, the family members yelled and accused each other of ridiculous things. They certainly did not know how to communicate, instead just sat there pretending everything was all right. It was like what the family was doing in this dramatic, well-cast film. AFTER BEING MARRIED FOR MANY YEARS, one would have thought everything would have been dealt with and worked out for the infamous couple. But when an actor comes into their life to study one of them for a movie role, she sees more than what she was expecting. With Natalie Portman (Lucy in the Sky, Black Swan) as Elizbeth, Julianne Moore (After the Wedding, Gloria Bell) as Gracie, Charles Melton (The Sun is Also a Star, Riverdale-TV) as Joe Yoo, Cory Michael Smith (Call Jane, Carol) as Georgie and Andrea Frankle (Crime Story, Walkaway Joe) as Rhonda; I was captured by the incredible acting skills of the cast. Natalie, Julianne, and Charles were so coordinated that I forgot their real selves and took them as the characters they played. The story was deftly told, and the direction and music were brilliant. There were moments of camp and drama, blended into the script that kept the viewer wondering about the intentions of the characters. This was such a strong film that kept me totally engaged with it. I never thought a movie that shows the faults of being non-communicative would be so thrilling to watch.
4 stars
moviejoltz 