Thursday, December 17, 2020

The Golden Age (2019) Movie Review © 2020 Dan's Movie Report – Danny Templegod

 

Above Image: Poster for 'The Golden Age' © 2019 Belle Époque Films

 

Greetings valued Dan's Movie Report readers. Across my desk today comes a brand new film, a swerve to the left away from the action and into a French period drama. Producer/Director/writer and star Jenna Suru crafts a detailed and lush tale of two struggling artists who have a chance meeting. Jenna's character Angèle Devaux is a stage artist who dreams of big time movies. Sebastien Cipolla portrays Sebastian Davis a film-maker desperate to find his inspiration and art, all the while figuring out a way to pay his bills.


'The Golden Age' has the accouterments of a film festival type movie, but is never pompous or pretentious. At it's heart it is a boy meets girl story, set against a lush and entertaining french environment. The scenery acts like a character in the film, with each location displaying the beauty and tapestry of a time long past.


Being that 'The Golden Age' is set in the 60s, specifically 1967, there are several musical and allegorical references to the Beatles, Bridget Bardot, the first woman running in the Boston Marathon, Vietnam War, and other things going on during that time frame. Jenna makes sure to invite the audience to look at the background in her film, as there are various people who movie in and around the main scene. In fact when they first meet, a couple of ladies are having their picture taken in front of the Eiffel Tower and she has to move on the bench closer to him, hence a chance meeting right from the outset.


Her parents have a country house and once the get there, the couple seem to learn more about each other. This is when their creative adventure starts to manifest a plan for a new project. A Golden Age is movie where the path to create is more than the destination.


'A Golden Age' is a loquacious drama, yet each character seems to provide his or her own advice. The script is detailed and well written. The two leads are likable, Jenna seems to be a bit cautious, yet thoughtful and caring, What I like is she is not overtly bubbly, just natural and honest. She has a frustrated demeanor when speaking about her career stating: “ My life is like a mix of miracles and disillusions”. She seems sad about her status in life, yet somewhat hopeful. He states that she is different from other actresses as she is actually concerned more about her film roles, not just her looks and fame.


The conversation shifts to personal life all the while ebbing and flowing, never too positive or negative. The pair discuss family and how war has affected his family, how his father has basically been absent in his due to wars. There is an ongoing plot point of him being deep in debt. Without spoiling it, The Golden Age is a thought provoking drama, tackling the age old question of creativity verses a quick moneymaking opportunity.


Perhaps the running time of 107 minutes is a tad too long, slightly slow moving, but other than that, I have now qualms about any of the acting, story, settings, lighting, or cinematography. Just remember the Golden Age is a art film tackling ideas more than plot developments, allowing the viewer to think for themselves what the goal of the cast is, and what they would do given their situation. There are some plot developments that kind of force him back to her. Ultimately, it is an uplifting story for an artist, 'The Golden Age' should spark creativity for those who are struggling artists.


Overall, I enjoyed 'The Golden Age', a perspicacious drama, two artists meeting,  trying to stay focused on their dreams and goals, to “Change the World”. I struggled a bit regarding the rating, yet 7 out of 10, seems appropriate. Jenna had to work hard wearing many hats on this production, I enthusiastically look forward to her future projects.


Jenna has this to say about The Golden Age (L’Âge d’Or): 'L’Âge d’Or' is my tribute to 60s Saint-Tropez, film sold-out the Opening Night of London IFF last March, we’re very thankful for the great reviews and awards. “L’Âge d’Or” is the last drama ever filmed at Notre-Dame Cathedral before the fires and is a tribute to the artistic journey, to the artists from over the world who flew to Saint-Tropez in the 60s to change that world that didn’t work for them. “


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnQGeyRfkEU&

Above: Trailer



Connect with Jenna on Social Media:




Social media and links:

@jennasurureal on Instagram, Jenna Suru on Facebook, @jennasuru on Twitter

@belleepoquefilms on Instagram and Facebook, @bellepoquefilms on Twitter

@lagedorfilm on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook

Company website www.belleepoquefilms.com

IMDb / Youtube Channel

Festival website https://www.parisintlfest.com/


Wednesday, December 16, 2020

Jackie Chan's 'Vanguard' Unleashes to U.K. Theaters and Streaming January 8th, 2021 © 2020 Dan's Movie Report – Danny Templegod

 

Above: Poster for 'Vanguard' (C) 2020 CineAsia, all rights reserved, image not monetized.

Greetings valued Dan's Movie Report and Action-Flix.com readers. CineAsia proudly presents action adventure Vanguard, the new pairing of director Stanley Tong (Rumble in the Bronx, Supercop) and action legend Jackie Chan (Police Story, Rush Hour) and a noted return to form for Chan's unique blend of action comedy. It is arriving on demand and in selected cinemas (subject to local lock-down restrictions) from 8th January and on Blu-ray & DVD 11th January 2021. This is a United Kingdom release.


Synopsis:


Marking the latest collaboration between acclaimed Hong Kong director Stanley Tong (The Myth, Rumble in the Bronx, Supercop) and action legend Jackie Chan (The Foreigner, Police Story, Rush Hour), Vanguard is a wild globetrotting adventure and a throwback to the days of gloriously over-the-top action cinema. 


When a client of the international “Vanguard” security agency is kidnapped during Chinatown’s famous Lunar celebrations in London, this elite team (led by Chan) is sent to the rescue, taking them on a wildly ambitious mission all over the world. The adventure takes them from the rivers of Africa, to a heavily guarded fort in India, and an exhilarating car chase in Dubai, all the while unraveling a global conspiracy.


Vanguard boasts stunning action choreography, amazing stunts and the brand of fast-paced action-comedy that made Jackie Chan a global star. His new film has received positive reviews from critics!


The fight choreography is incredible” Beyond the Trailer

Fans of Chan, action, stunts will love VanguardBoston Herald



I have always enjoyed Jackie's humor and look forward to watching and reviewing 'Vanguard'!

Please check out the brand new trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzXQIJHljAU&feature=youtu.be


Pre-Order is available: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Vanguard-DVD-Jackie-Chan/dp/B08NQMMDBK


Official Social Media Sites for 'Vanguard':


#Vanguard

Twitter @cineasiauk

Facebook @cineasiauk

Instagram @cineasiauk

Tuesday, December 15, 2020

Curse of Mesopotamia (2015) Movie Review © 2020 Dan's Movie Report – Danny Templegod

 

Above: Poster for 'Curse of Mesopotamia' (C) 2015 all rights reserved to original owners, image not monetized. Please adjust browsers to desktop mode.

 

Greetings valued Dan's Movie Report and Action-Flix.com readers, across my desk today thanks to Melissa Mars reminding me, 'Curse of Mesopotamia' is a film that actually released in 2016, but signals got crossed and I never did get a review copy, fast forward to 2020, Melissa told me I could rent the film for $2.99 on Vimeo.


The plot of 'Curse of Mesopotamia' is rather unique. Several strangers are having a recurring nightmares all regarding a demon, and an ancient castle in Kurdistan. The nightmares vary based on the perspective of the person in the vision. All characters in present day have a doppelganger in ancient times, some are guards, a woman is a member of a concubine, and Melissa Mars plays a dual role as Queen in ancient times.


A psychologist/hypnotist eventually convinces the group to travel to the castle in their nightmares and that is when the madness literally begins. There are group therapy sessions and eventually the group retires to their bedrooms to sleep and be transported into the realm of the ancients.


I ended up watching the movie a couple of times, and quite honestly it is well written story, my only major issues are with the action choreography, which there is a supposed epic sword battle at the end, and it really falls flat, there is some action, but lugubrious and slow moving. The cinematography and lighting is so dark, that it felt like watching a movie from across the street and squinting! That fact aside, Melissa Mars has an excellent sword scene with another lady which is much faster and well lit thus, not all bad.


My other huge issue was with the actress Ana Sinclair I am sorry to say her performance was so wooden as the demoness queen, that it was very boring when she was on screen, Once again that was balanced by a fantastic performance from Stacy Thunes as Dr Barbara, and an ancient soothsayer named Efrite. 

 

Above: Melissa Mars as Queen Lale (C) 2015 all rights reserved to original owners, image not monetized.
 

 

The performance of the film goes to Melissa Mars as Queen Lale/ and Amira in present day. She had to run the gauntlet of emotions from sadness, anger, happiness, craziness, and ultra-violent. There is a scene where she is locked in a prison cell and she is kind of sitting down seductively, and the guard sees this, unlocks the door and starts to make love and let us just say that was the man's final act of pleasure, haha!


The movie is uneven in areas, there are some sequences shot that should have been in a different order, including character deaths, no spoilers, but the skipping around timelines and in and out of dream state is a tricky thing to get right. I do appreciate the effort of Director/Writer Lauand Omar the script had depth and clever ideas. My only wish was for better acting, better quality of action, and lighting. Melissa Mars has a song 'I Will Rise' in the film as well, please check out this cool video:


https://vimeo.com/164896014



Overall 'Curse of Mesopotamia' rates a 6 out of 10, a solid rent, and well worth the $2.99!



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ryHvVyZhvg&t=5s

Trailer Above.


For further information, please visit the Official Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/curseofmesopotamia


Rent the film now on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/154095?fbclid=IwAR3jbprlW8XXMf6_CqZRW33GoXZx8pp2iyY2cVK2phAPYwEDS_vibHcuY6s