Change Your Image
jessrein
Reviews
Gravity (2010)
Midway Through the 1st Season of Gravity
We're mid way through the first season of Gravity and not surprisingly comments are very diverse. I say it is not surprising because Gravity is a subtle, cognitive, emotional and non-formulaic show which can take some time to get a handle on, but once you do it's a deep-cool trip well worth your while, but you must stay with it like with any relationship of substance that grows at almost imperceptible intervals until its virtues appear in gratifying surprises.
Take the main theme of the show: suicide. Who hasn't contemplated checking out of this dimension from time to time, at least when at the motor vehicle department or more importantly when in a hellish place within our own interior? These are dark, scary places, but it's very cathartic and important to look under the rocks of despair and confront the rawest and most tormented areas of life where the full gamut of emotions and thoughts run wildly, often on a collision course with mortality itself.
For those still on the fence, perhaps some of your angst comes from the non-formulaic nature of the show. There's no shame in admitting that we expect railings and handles in certain places, especially when shambling along in the dim light of a new series that dodges convention at many turns. It takes a while for any show to get traction, but with a little faith there is no doubt in my mind that Gravity will take you on an interesting and fun journey. I know this because Jill Franklyn, the creator, whom I consider a sort of nouveau female incarnate of Woody Allen, is not going to let this thing ever get hum drum. No, no. She has just begun laying down her roller coaster track, not to physically flail you about, but to cavort your heart and mind subtly. And you need to watch carefully to stay on the ride, one that Starz will hopefully allow to continue on its wonderful course.
No Country for Old Men (2007)
Two Problems with No Country For Old Men
No Country For Old Men is a very refreshing film, especially for its courage to be non-formulaic. There is indeed much to like about the picture as evidenced by the many great reviews it has received.
However, in replaying the film in my mind there were two things that I thought were problematic beyond redemption.
Firstly, the killer, Anton Chigurh, had zero character development. It's fine that he speaks little and certainly his actions convey a lot, but I desperately needed to know more about him, how he became this unique psychopath.
Secondly, Chigurh does not face any resistance to his many acts of violence, except once. In fact, whenever he strikes it is as if he is in a ghost town or the whole world has turned its back on him to give him privacy. This could happen a few times surly, but not constantly like it does.
I really was rooting for this film to work completely, but unfortunately these holes were more than I could circumvent.