Why you should be watching: “Quarry”

Cinemax has always been referred to in movies as “I get-to-see-a-lot-of-sex channel”, because it’s always focused on more artistic films and those that hail from all over the world. In the emergence of two channels of Cinemax, channel number one usually contains a more known program, such as blockbusters and TV series that they themselves produce, and then on channel two, you get to see the sex.

After the ending of the exciting and action-packed bloodbath that was “Banshee”, Cinemax produced and released a retrospective into the 1970s in the form of the series called “Quarry”, which was actually based on the novel of the same name, written by Max Allan Collins.
The main character is Mac Conway who returns from his 2nd tour in Vietnam and gets a bad reputation among the locals because of a scandal that happened during his service. Not just him, but his best pal Arthur Solomon too, has seen the hell of war and came home with a semi-calm head. This is just the beginning, and the plot can be seen in episode one already – Arthur is less than semi-calm, he’s barely 3/4 calm as he takes on a dirty job worth $30,000 (which can today equal to an amount from $132,000 to $420,000) and asks for Mac’s help.

Why is the show important? It deals with two major themes that were a big issue in the past and are a big issue now, too. The relevance of giving war veterans their space and understanding when they zone out, sleepwalk or don’t want to talk doesn’t ever seem to be clear to people, especially to the wives of the men who return in such programs; you’ve seen it in every war themed movie in some way. It’s difficult to cheer for someone who’s trying to push their way into a man’s head when he’s seen dead bodies and waken up next to them for two years in a row. Despite feeling left out and abandoned, Mac’s wife can’t seem to get the elementary, at least that’s how it seems in the first few episodes.
The narrative moves slowly but has incredible scenes which reveal to us how both sides feel at the same time. This was important during the Vietnamese war, and it is important for anyone going to the battlefield in the Middle East today; his wife elaborates why she felt left out and abandoned, while Mac does his best to mutter out why he did two tours in Vietnam and what it meant for him.
I’m sure that the era when there was a general pressure for men to prove themselves through military service made some people grow up sooner than they had anticipated to.

What makes the situation harder is the fact that Mac and Arthur can’t get any legitimate jobs that they very much qualify for; Arthur bags a physically demanding gig which is way below his abilities or education, just because he came back from the war and may or may have not been involved in a mass murder.
The hipocrisy of the country that honors the men who go to war and then rejects them when they wish to move on with their lives is shown strongly and without beautification.

The other matter that is so important in the show is the treatment and inequality of America’s African-American citizens. Nowadays, we’ve been hearing on the news how police keeps treating their nation and how Donald Trump invites rallies to expel “bad ombres” from the country (I am not American nor do I live there, so I can only get informed through the news and programs) which feels unrealistic in this day and age, to be such a man and think in such a way; the situation depicted in “Quarry” shows a time of early integration of African-American citizens into the community, and Arthur Solomon’s family, and Arthur himself, are black citizens.
The very depiction of the attempts of integration and mistreatment is painful to see, if you are a normal functioning human with a heart, that is. While we watch it and think: “No one ever deserves this”, this isn’t a fantasized situation – it was real and it was recent. When we look back, 1972 is only 44 years ago from today, so not even a round 50 to say things are different; not that the number 50 would make it somehow justifiable.

Overall, the performance of Logan Marshall-Green as Mac Conway has brought our long awaited attention to him. He played supporting roles for most of his career and never really stood out. “Quarry” has shown us that he is around for a reason – he plays his calmness and his anger with a subtle difference. We can tell when he’s relaxed and happy, but most of his life has been intertwined with some of the most stressful situations known to man, so whenever he gets a release, it’s rare and valuable; Marshall-Green takes us slowly and nicely through the pain and the discomfort.

Some supporting characters carry heavy roles on their shoulders but I won’t elaborate who they are in order not to spoil anything too much. The actor Damon Herriman who plays Buddy has a huge history in the TV series universe, and he is my personal highlight of the show. Buddy is another kind of reject among the rejects of war, but he displays his insecurities through flamboyance and jokes. He rarely ever feels well but somehow manages to see things could get better for him; his relationship with his mother helps him remain encouraged, despite the relationship’s ridiculous and sometimes strange qualities.
Peter Mullan plays The Broker, another very important supporting character in Mac’s life and Peter Mullan is already a veteran in acting; The Broker’s omnipresence makes us dread but when he appears, we all know what’s coming next. When we see a character and know what’s about to happen, without ever needing him to explain, we should know that that’s a mark of a good program.

“Quarry” is heavy, gritty, emotional, captivating and exciting.

‘Til next time.

Anja

Why you should be watching: “Black Mirror”

I binge watched season 3 of “Black Mirror” with my mum yesterday. We just thought we could take it one at a time, maybe watch two new episodes and see what it’s like, and we ended up watching all six episodes in one night.

If anyone is familiar with “Black Mirror”, they also know that its writer and creator is Charlie Brooker, a man whose satirical and dark reviews of domestic (UK, that is) policy shows how much the world needs people who can easily call ‘bullshit’ on certain events. Personally, I watched everything Brooker had created to date because I have immense respect for him and his creative genius but I can’t guarantee he wouldn’t call me a buffoon as well if I told him I was a fan of his work; I just have a feeling he might, I don’t know.

The first season of “Black Mirror” was something very new on the market, despite having stories about technological advancements and science fiction drama from the dawn of time (I should look that fact up, though). This season really showed how technological advancement can hurt humanity, since people will stay people no matter how many gadgets they have; Toby Kebbell perfectly played the jealous husband in a world where he can access his and others’ memories from a hard drive. The other two episodes focused on the society’s obsession over reality TV. It was exciting to see this, even the first episode, in which the PM of Britain is blackmailed into having sex with a pig on national television. Years after the premiere of that episode, David Cameron was enshrouded in the scandal of doing something similar back in his college days – Brooker saw right through everything and went, “well if this happens, the world will have gone mad by then!”. Or maybe he knew more than many of us.

Season 2 followed the same thematic path but it wasn’t as memorable as the first one. The issues of technological advancement were very emotionally approached in the first episode where Hayley Atwell’s character can’t quite cope with the loss of her husband and decides to sign up for a service that can recreate him and keep him in her head the entire time. This can be devastating for numbers of reasons, as love and loss are two incredibly powerful emotions that can affect us, at most times, permanently. This was the best episode of the series, although the slowest one in terms of pace. Other two episodes simply deal with societal issues of publicly (and violently in public) judging an individual, as well as the entire absurdity of elections, candidates, politics and political games.

But, the arrival of season 3 made everything different. The release of this season was a bit under the radar for me, since I wasn’t sure it would continue after the second one. I thought maybe Charlie Brooker had had enough of making up stories about broken ideals and society. I was terribly wrong, though, since he wrote 6 episodes (well, five, if we don’t count “Nosedive”, which was only his idea but not his screenplay) and they all combined the emotional aspect, alienation and general humanity with the technological advancements, replacements and larger-than-life inventions. Episode called “Nosedive” was really stunning in both visual and dynamic aspects; somehow, the pastels in which the world is tightly wrapped can’t lighten up the darkness of the loneliness behind chasing ratings and online popularity. Reality of us getting to that place in time kicks in when our main character, played by Bryce Dallas Howard, can or can’t use daily amenities because she’s judged by her ratings. Yikes.

Other episodes, like “Playtest” show the advancement of video games, and how much that universe has expanded and how dangerous it can get; it delved into facing one’s fears in a truly dangerous way. That can be done in a gentler and kinder way, definitely. The story about the army man who is programmed to see only what the government wants him to see (and kill) is probably the scariest. Actually, they’re all scary. Fascinating and scary at the same time.
The best part is, the final episode is as long as a feature film, almost 90 minutes.

I fell in love with “Black Mirror” again. I keep thinking about the episodes all day today and I envy the people who still haven’t seen it. Whatever could possibly go wrong with society was depicted in the series and despite it being truly depressing, it’s actually riveting and exciting – the dialogues are exquisite, the visuals are impeccable and the universe of each episode can pull us in and make us think about it for hours after watching it.
Someone more adept would say it lacked something, they’d criticize it more objectively but I love Brooker’s vision and I love that his thinking takes us to some very possible outcomes; I also love that, however dark, he’s also a bit of a romantic. He understands how far someone would go for love, for success and for simple, pure happiness. He also understands that people are still people once released from the gadgets, and that our inner workings will always need care.

‘Til next time.

Anja

My Top 10 (Part 2)

Yesterday I wrote about the five out of ten movies that I frequently go back to, love to watch and swear to every person that the movie is amazing.

My subjective opinion, of course, doesn’t agree with everybody’s, so if someone hates the movie after my recommendation, well… I see it coming.
I try to detach myself from the subjectivity of others and only believe in my own. I only have respect for other people’s opinions, since most people in the world wouldn’t agree with me; plus, if someone says “Snatch” is a terrible movie, that’s not up to me to defend – talk to Mr. Ritchie, its director. My only job is to say I love it, and if I have an explanation, to say why.

So, after I finish this list, I’d love some interaction from you – which of these movies did you love, which did you hate, maybe give reasons if you’re up for it, and let me know if there are other movies that moved you and why. I love an open discussion and any opinion is welcome here.

What a lengthy intro! Let me get into those movies now, because that’s what I came here to do.

6. SNOWPIERCER (2013, dir. Bong Joon Ho)

I considered putting this in the first five films I love, but then I just decided to say that the list isn’t in order of most favorite to least, but the love is equally distributed among all of them. Like they’re my pets or my kids.

“Snowpiercer” left me breathless every single time I watched it. I think I watched it three times, and each time there was something else that impressed me. The first viewing was, of course, a sensory overload but then, the second and third left me thinking and truly seeing what it was trying to be which, simply put, is to justify the ambition of the little man to move forward and break societal boundaries.
My favorite South Korean director, Bong Joon-ho, directed another movie on this list that I love to bits. Something about his exploration of character made me fall for his storytelling, as well the stunning visual aspect especially presented in “Snowpiercer”.
I love to watch the amazing YouTube channel called Every Frame a Painting and there, “Snowpiercer” and its vastness was successfully analyzed within two minutes – it spoils the movie almost entirely, but if you’ve seen it or don’t mind spoilers, watch it here. The video tells a lot about director Bong’s style, which gives visual explanations, rather than in a conversation. This also happens in the scene where Tilda Swinton explains everyone’s place in the moving, everlasting Universe.

I don’t think anyone regretted seeing “Snowpiercer”, but then, not everyone was thrilled. As the walks of life tend to be. I will forever list it as one of my all-time favorites.

Favorite line:
– Mason: “My friend, you suffer from the misplaced optimism of the doomed.”

7. MEMORIES OF MURDER (2003, dir. Bong Joon Ho)

Hello again, Mr. Bong Joon-ho.

This movie was the 2nd reason I fell in love with Korean crime dramas. The first one was “I Saw the Devil” but it didn’t leave as strong of an impact as this one did – this one tore me to pieces, as I dedicated myself to its every minute.
“Memories of Murder” is a riveting story about a series of odd and brutal killings of women during 1983 – which really happened in South Korea.
It’s more depressing and amazing with that fact. My favorite South Korean actor, Song Kang-ho (who also stars in “Snowpiercer”, hello!) plays the lead detective from the rural town and he’s never ever seen anything like that. At one point, and this won’t spoil it, but the rural detectives are so helpless that they force innocents to plead guilty just so they can sleep at night.

There are some comical scenes that make the movie seem a bit goofed up, like the numerous high kicks that happen over and over, like it’s a normal thing ’round there. However, it doesn’t play the story down. This film is amazing. From beginning to end, amazing.

Favorite line: I don’t have it. I have a lot, but, instead, here’s another Every Frame a Painting video that shows you the visual directing of Bong Joon-ho.

8. MAD MAX: FURY ROAD (2015, dir. George Miller)

I don’t know if there’s a lot I can say about why I love this movie. I believe it was very well accepted overall. I love the old “Mad Max” films and I actually like Mel Gibson (but I prefer his directing, ahem, look below) but this one had me glued to the screen like none before.

The constant action doesn’t let anyone take a breather; the only time there’s a certain break is when the good ol’ Oil Rig gets stuck and the Warboy suggests chaining it to a tree.
Furiosa needs to go back to her home where she believes the captured women would also be safe and Max has nothing left for him, so he decides to help – whether the main protagonist is him or her (but it’s kind of her, let’s be real), the exchange is always fair and their friendship and bond is created silently and without force.
I won’t say more. I could talk for hours and write a complete essay about why “Mad Max: Fury Road” is too awesome, but I wouldn’t be able to convey what it truly is.

And this is how you make an action movie.

Favorite lines: 
– Max Rockatansky: “How much more can they take from me? They got my blood, now it’s my car!”
– Max Rockatansky: “I am the one that runs from both the living and the dead. Hunted by scavengers, haunted by those I could not protect. So I exist in this wasteland, reduced to one instinct: survive.”

9. APOCALYPTO (2006, dir. Mel Gibson)

Mel Gibson is a fine director. I like his movies, mostly when he directs, as he tries to be genuine in most of them. I appreciate genuineness and trying hard, and it can be seen here very well.

I can always watch “Apocalypto”. Turn it on halfway and I’ll sit through it without a problem, but this would mostly be because I know a lot about it already.
The use of actors who are South American and Native American really makes it special for me, because you can’t make a movie about the Mayan Kingdom with Christian Bale as the lead. Mel Gibson wasn’t afraid of that, and he went all out to represent and research the costumes, the warrior paint and piercings. These guys were pretty vicious, the games were cruel, there was tons of sacrificing involved and the hygiene was just terrifying, but you can see that there was a whole other meaning to it all. Give us rain, oh mighty rain god, and we will give you the beating hearts of the innocent villagers as a sacrifice.
The most striking part, which is the plot in some ways, happens when the ruler’s designated army takes the hostages to the capital and they shove a little, sick girl with a stick away from them. The girl turns out to be clairvoyant and she tells them: “Beware the man who brings the jaguar“. Lo and behold, our main character’s name is Jaguar’s Paw.
Brilliant.

Favorite line:
– Oracle Girl: “You fear me? So you should. All you who are vile. Would you like to know how you will die? The sacred time is near. Beware the blackness of day. Beware the man who brings the jaguar. Behold him reborn from mud and earth. For the one he takes you to will cancel the sky, and scratch out the earth. Scratch you out. And end your world. He’s with us now. Day will be like night. And the man jaguar will lead you to your end.”

10. BATTLE ROYALE (2000, dir. Kinji Fukasaku)

The original “Hunger Games”, as some would say. So would I, in a way, but that wouldn’t be fair to the writer of “The Hunger Games” which has a cool premise. A bit “Americanized” in my opinion (the suits, the glorification, the fabulous outfits, the advertising), but still pretty darn cool. Though the whole advertising aspect of the battles in “Hunger Games” is actually one of my favorite moments – let’s make TV out of every miserable moment on Earth.

Why is “Battle Royale” awesome? It’s a contest of which the participants are not even aware, they don’t know where they are and what awaits them. During the survival, they discover their killer instincts (and a lack of one), go mentally insane and give in to pure necessity, which is simply ‘kill or be killed’. There is a nice, emotional scene where a boy says to a girl – “I’ve always had a crush on you”, and they end up literally dying together, which also makes us come back to the fact that these are high school kids.
My high school days were similar, but not this cruel.
It’s a slashy, brutal horror flick but the horrifying aspect lies more in the overall chill that the organizers of this bizarre tournament have than the whole killing aspect.
It’s a pretty sick but great movie which makes you wonder, if anything else. The Japanese have always had one hell of an imagination, which is a winning quality for their TV and movie industry.

Favorite lines:
– Mitsuko: “You just have to fight for yourself; no one’s going to save you. That’s just life, right?”
– Shuya: “No matter how far, run for all you’re worth. RUN.”

 

Phew. List – done! I had a lot of fun while writing it.
I can’t wait for some feedback, comments and possible discussion on which of these movies you all liked.
But behave, please. Respect each other and remember that film is subjective. It’s a glorious art because of that.

‘Til tomorrow.

Anja

A Dawn of a New (Blog) Era

Hello. I am Anja, and I am a cinephile.

As I sit here and write this, I realize it’s been a while since I’ve blogged, and I am panicking a bit.

How should I present to you what I wish to convey here?
The idea I had of the blog of my dreams was to make it progress into a work of creativity and a work of art; like everything in life, this should first grow before it becomes big.
This will, for the most part, be a blog about movies and film in general.

Why movies and film? Well, it’s my favorite thing in the world. Seeing a movie is, to me, the greatest feeling of relaxation, happiness and love; seeing my boyfriend, parents and friends is pretty cool but they can’t act like de Niro and they certainly can’t direct like Scorsese. (I joke. My inner circle is everything to me – that’s how important film is, too)

Again, why movies and film? I want to become a screenwriter, but I need to start by opening myself up to people, and blogging sounds cool. If I open myself up, I just might get a super cool movie idea, too. I believe in reciprocity and the Newton’s Third Law.
So, to make this long story shorter at the end – I’ll discuss movies high and low. I hope you will like it.

I will start to film videos as soon as I get ideas. I want this to be interactive. I want to hear pitches, comments and ideas. Most importantly, I want this to be a nice cozy place for everyone to share opinions in a respective manner and let me know if they agree.
(I shouldn’t but I will mention that foul language and hateful comments on anyone’s behalf should be sent into a galaxy far, far away from this one)

This blog will be a film roll of my life, one that contains important scenes that lead to somewhere better. I might say it’d be a roll of a lifetime (See what I did there?)

Anja