Random Movie Birb

Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool Starring: Annette Benning and Jamie Bell Directed By: Paul McGuigan US Release Date: December 15th, 2017 My First Viewing: January 26th, 2018 Image Credit Annette Benning (20th Century Women, American Beauty) and Jamie Bell (Billy Elliot) star in the romantic drama Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool, which follows Benning's portrayal of actress Gloria Grahame in the last few years of her life.  Based on the memoir by Peter Turner (who Bell portrays in the film), the story follows Turner and Grahame's relationship in a non-linear style. Jumping between the past and the present, we see the highs and lows of the relationship, the underlying stories, and what one will do to not hurt the ones they love. Benning's version of Grahame is near spot-on, down to the soft pouty voice, movements, and lip curls. Bell and Benning have great chemistry together, but the story overall for some reason felt safe and a little by-the-numbers. 

Mom and Dad Starring: Nicolas Cage and Selma Blair Directed By: Brian Taylor US Release Date: January 19th, 2018 My First Viewing: January 25th, 2018 image credit: moviefone.com From the director of Crank, Crank: High Voltage, and Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance  comes Mom and Dad. On a day much like any other, for a reason that is not explained (static has something to do with it, I believe), parents turn into 28 Days Later- esque zombies, going on a rampage killing their own children.  Normally before posting my thoughts on a film, I don't read anyone else's thoughts or opinions. However, with this movie, I was conflicted. I wanted to know what if there was something I missed. So watching it a second time in two days, I have come to the conclusion that I don't think I did. Nicolas Cage turns it up to 11, and Selma Blair is fun in her role. However, the editing is distracting, the story and music choices are all over the place, and overall I am not sure what it

Jigsaw Starring: Tobin Bell and Matt Passmore Directed By: Michael and Peter Spierig US Release Date: October 27th, 2017 My First Viewing: January 23rd, 2018 image credit: movieposter.com  Thirteen years after the release of the original Saw  and seven years after the release of The Final Chapter comes the resurrection of the franchise with its eighth installment, Jigsaw.  Ten years after the death of John Kramer, a new game has begun. On the case is Detective Halloran (Callum Keith Rennie) and medical examiner Logan Nelson (Matt Passmore), trying to figure out how a dead man is conducting this game.  Something the original Saw did so well was it did not have to rely on gratuitous violence to tell its story. With each passing sequel, the violence ramped up, giving us the era of "Torture Porn". Jigsaw, save for a couple scenes (beware the ending if you're squeamish), restrains itself from painting the screen in blood and guts. The problem with this film is the

Happy Death Day Starring: Jessica Rothe and Israel Broussard Directed By: Christopher Landon US Release Date: October 13th, 2017 My First Viewing: January 20th, 2018 Image Credit: Movieposter.com Blumhouse Productions, best known for making a lot of money with a microbudget with films Get Out, Split, and The Purge trilogy is back with Happy Death Day.  Part murder mystery, part Groundhog Day, Jessica Rothe (La La Land), plays Tree, a girl who wakes up on her birthday, and by the end of the day is killed by an unknown assailant in a baby mask. Once killed, she wakes up, again on her birthday, playing a never-ending loop only ending when she discovers who is behind her murder.  Tree is very unlikeable at the beginning of the film, but over time becomes a sympathetic figure.  This is a PG-13 horror film, so while it lacks in gratuitous violence, it more than makes up for it in the fun aspects of the story. Rothe's acting can be a bit over the top at times, but 100% intent

Phantom Thread Starring: Daniel Day-Lewis and Vicky Krieps Directed By: Paul Thomas Anderson US Release Date: December 25th, 2017 My First Viewing: January 13th, 2018 Image Credit: movieposter.com Ten years ago, Paul Thomas Anderson and Daniel Day-Lewis collaborated on There will be Blood, a film many argue could have won Best Picture at that years Oscars. Now they team up again in Phantom Thread, a film which allegedly is Day-Lewis' last, and if that is true, he went out with a bang.  Day-Lewis stars as Reynolds Woodcock, a dressmaker who is very particular in his routines, the company he keeps, and most importantly to him, his craft. In the film, he meets Alma, played exceptionally by Vicky Krieps. Alma is taken by Reynolds when they first meet when she was a waitress, eventually becoming his muse, and later his wife. The story is not one which has a typical happily ever after ending, but what PT Anderson film ever does.  While Day-Lewis and Krieps have an exceptiona

Faces Places (Visages, Villages) Starring: JR, Agnes Varda Directed By: JR, Agnes Varda US Release Date: October 6th, 2017 My First Viewing: January 11th, 2018 The sheer delight that is the French documentary Faces Places  comes in the amazing chemistry between the two stars and co-directors JR and Agnes Varda. Varda, a former actress and filmmaker, and JR, a filmmaker, and photographer decide they want to make a movie and people they meet by happenstance. Visiting the French countryside and telling stories of the people they meet by creating murals of the photographs they take of their subjects.  Seeing the stories they are telling through these photos and murals are something you don't see. Whether it's the local waitress and mother, the guy who rings the city bells, the mailman, or the wives of dockworkers, JR and Varda show that everyone, no matter what your background is, has a story to tell.  Faces Places is rated PG. This is a film that families can enjoy if

I, Tonya Starring: Margot Robbie, Sebastian Stan, and Allison Janney Directed By: Craig Gillespie US Release Date: December 8th, 2017 My First Viewing: September 16th, 2017 Image Credit: Movieposters.com Underneath the surface of the Tonya Harding/Nancy Kerrigan story lies the movie I, Tonya. Harding, played by McKenna Grace (child) and Margot Robbie (age 15 and older), is one of many unreliable narrators in this saga of wanting to be perfect at something because that is all you know, and it is a release from her everyday life.  Shown in a pseudo-documentary interview style, we see the story of Harding, the abuse she had to deal with, whether it be more mental from her mother (Allison Janney), which turned into psychical once she began dating, and marrying, Jeff Gillooly (Sebastian Stan). All three can not be trusted as to whether or not their side of the story is the truth, which makes this film all the more compelling. Even though you think you know how Harding's story

What We Do in the Shadows Starring: Jemaine Clement, Taika Waititi, and Jonathan Brugh Directed By: Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi US Release Date: February 13th, 2015 My First Viewing: January 5th, 2018 Image Credit: Amazon.com What We Do in the Shadows is a mockumentary that follows the lives of vampires Viago, Deacon, and Vladislav as they go about their daily lives leading up until the annual Undead Masquerade. However, it is much more than not wearing silver, drinking blood, and staying out of the sunlight. They lead lives much like any normal person. They share a flat, fight about chores, and deal with personal conflicts, like lost love and the newly created vampire who can't keep his secret to himself.    This is a very funny film if you enjoy more of a subtle comedy. The humor lies in how the vampires deal with things that come up in their everyday life, just elevated to a whole other level. This is a film I thoroughly enjoyed, even though it was not something

Raiders of the Lost Ark Starring: Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, and John Rhys-Davies Directed By: Steven Speilberg Original Release Date: June 12th, 1981 My First Viewing: January 3rd, 2018 Image Credit: Cinematerial.com There are many films that are considered classics that, up until now, I have failed to see. For someone who is a film and media studies major, there are gaps in my viewing filmography that I want to fill, and what better way to begin filling those gaps than with the original Indiana Jones trilogy, beginning where it all started with 1981's Raiders of the Lost Ark. Harrison Ford, last seen frozen in carbonite in The Empire Strikes Back  takes the mantle of the title character. In the film, archeologist, and professor Indiana Jones goes on an adventure seeking the Ark of the Covenant trying to keep it out of the hands of Nazi soldiers. Steven Spielberg directs a masterwork in action and adventure, and the John Williams score is a character in and of itself,

Christine (2016) Starring: Rebecca Hall, Michael C. Hall Directed By: Antonio Campos Released: October 14th, 2016 First Viewed: January 2nd, 2018 Image Credit: Cinematerial.com Christine  is the true life story of reporter Christine Chubbuck (Rebecca Hall) who, in 1974, committed suicide during a live news broadcast. Hall's performance is remarkable as Chubbuck, who shows throughout the film the anguish that the pressure of her job, personal life, and her own mental health issues that carry the events of the film. Michael C. Hall is also great as anchor George Ryan, and director Antonio Campos (Martha Marcy May Marlene, producer) tells Christine's story with balance without sensationalizing the subject matter.   This film comes highly recommended but is rated R for a scene of disturbing violence and language. What are your thoughts on  Christine?  Please leave your comments below.  -Birb

Here are a few things you should know about this blog: 1.) I created this blog in order to reach many people and have conversations about films. While I won't be reviewing films and giving grades, I will give a few thoughts on the movies and communicate with everyone in the comments. 2.) Many people have many opinions about movies. Please be open and honest about what you think, but please be respectful of other people's opinions. 3.) I am going to be all over the place with the movies featured in this blog (hence the name, Random Movie Birb). It will be broken up into Random Birbs from my Letterboxd watchlist (which you can find at letterboxd.com/moviebirb/watchlist), Classic Birbs, as well as new releases. Now a little about me: Currently, I am a film and media studies major at Arizona State University online, where I hope to use that degree to get into film studies, reviewing, and writing. In 2017, I had the privilege to volunteer at TIFF, which is the first of ho