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AVA: A Twist in the Road (2021)
An interesting film with relatable themes
'AVA: A Twist in the Road' by Catherane Skillen tells the story of the titular character as she navigates well, a twist in the road. That road being figurative of course in this bumpy thing we call life. Ava (Skillen) and her long-time partner Bobby (Bill Lewis) have a loving and healthy relationship. Just like all long-term relationships however, it isn't perfect. Bobby is away a lot for work and Ava wishes that they spent more quality time together. Suddenly, Bobby passes away and leaves Ava all alone. Having relied on Bobby for literally everything through their life together, this proves very difficult.
Firstly, having an older woman as the focal point of the story is certainly refreshing, as is the portrayal of she and Bobby's relationship as loving, playful and sexually active just as that of a younger couple, which is something that is often forgotten and not played up as much on the screen.
The narrative is clear and focused with a very straightforward A-B structure but just as the title alludes to, there are twists in the road and the loss of Bobby is not the only one. In addition to all the stress that Ava is facing trying to navigate life without the one person she counted on, Bobby's son Bob Jr. Ahem, I mean "Robert", bitter about the fact that his father left his mother for Ava, is trying to make sure that she gets nothing from his father's estate. At first, this sub-plot was interesting and even felt like the film could take on a thriller quality but it was dismissed rather quickly and ultimately the foundation laid and the characterisation of Robert ended up being unnecessary.
There are certainly some filmmaking wins in 'AVA' and a stand-out scene comes during her attendance at a party that she doesn't really want to be at. The scene takes on a dream-like quality as Ava is approached by a variety of people all sharing their personal opinions and stories with her, whilst the sounds of conversations and laughter close in creating a claustrophobic feeling which is reflective of what somebody in her situation might feel in a social situation, and will certainly be relatable to anybody who has experienced social anxiety.
There are some good performances here, mainly from Skillen and she manages to elevate those around her who give weaker, but not bad performances. Paired with some questionable editing choices and dated transitions, 'AVA' at times sort of resembles a Sunday afternoon soap opera. Bill Lewis as Bobby is also a standout,
The film isn't really sure what it wants to be with a shifting tone from light-hearted to depressing with the colour pallet and soundtrack to match. Of course, grief is a big part of the affair and that grief is less suggestive and more in an on the nose "I'm holding this knife and you know what that means!" kind of way. It's not an issue per se, but it wasn't totally necessary and seems to really want to make sure that you understand how depressed Ava is, assuming we aren't already aware of the impact that an event like this can have on a person.
The end comes rather quickly with the runtime clocking in at just 1 hour and 14 minutes. The film fails to deliver a big payoff as one might expect however there is a very nice moment of clarity to close.
Overall, 'AVA: A Twist in the Road' is an interesting but flawed picture with some relatable themes of love, loss but also serves as an important cautionary tale of making sure to take charge of your own life and not rely entirely on somebody else.
Greatland (2020)
An ambitious sci-fi holding up a mirror to today's society.
Greatland is a film that'll surely divide opinions because of its at times rather heavy handed social commentary on many of today's societal happenings.
The film has a rather retro approach to the future with glitter, tinsel and neon lights more akin to The Fifth Element than Blade Runner or the apocalyptic efforts of Mad Max. Greatland is a dystopia that is the result of today's impending norms and is ruled over by a Big Brother-esque propaganda spewing A. I voice known as "Mother."
The second half of the film becomes much more political as we learn about the behind the scenes goings-on of the dystopia and at this point, it may become somewhat difficult to consume. There are some very clear messages presented and some others that ultimately get lost.
Even if you deem the social commentary too much or in bad taste, or if you aren't particularly politically-minded, you might still find enjoyment being transported into this carnival candy factory that is Greatland.
The Misadventures of Mistress Maneater (2020)
Well put-together, engrossing and stylish
The Misadventures of Mistress Maneater is very off-beat and ambitious ride that is part romantic comedy and part drama. A rather noticeable shift in tone helps the film to not stagger in its momentum and keeps it fresh for its duration.
In some ways familiar, TMoMM has enough going for it that it stands well on its own- taking tropes from the genres that its inspired by and given them their own unique spin.
The cast deliver all around and Lorissa Julianus is sexy, sassy and femme fatale-y whilst demonstrating that a pretty face and such profession shouldn't be judged by appearance.
An enjoyable watch.
The Hunter's Anthology (2021)
Spooky and a bit of fun
Yes, everyone; it's low budget. But why is that a bad thing? Lower your Hollywood expectations and appreciation the passion behind the production of something like this. It's a five part anthology series inspired by The Twilight Zone with stories that are engrossing and spooky- each using a different sector of the paranormal, helping to keep the saga fresh. There's witchcraft, home invasion, mental hospitals and love potions; making The Hunter's Anthology accessible to a wide variety of viewers whether you're into mystery, horror or science fiction.
Introspectum Motel (2021)
Well-crafted with excellent performances
Introspectum Motel has a simple premise, a small cast and limited locations but where it lacks in quantity, it more than makes up for in quality. The film unfolds gradually and keeps the viewers attention, the performances are all top-notch and the dialogue is both sinister and darkly humorous. Definitely recommend.