Movie Man Darian Watching All Night Long

BrightBurn 

This film was a mixed bag of some great things and some really really poor things. It was a interesting concept but the execution was poorly done. The film was so slow it really is a slow burn which ironic since it’s called BrightBurn. I don’t know how to put it into words but the sheer backstory and concept for the film was incredibly Intriguing and got me invested it was like if Clark Kent used his powers for evil instead of good. Which to me is a fascinating concept but was never fully utilized to it’s full potential then it could of done. I’m not saying I hate this film but it’s a film that left me quite undecided on how to feel about this film. 

First Off, This films set up was incredibly interesting but since it’s a character piece on how this kid slowly shows his descent into madness and a character study which is interesting it results in the film at times feeling dull. As all the material for a interesting and compelling film is all their it’s just the final execution of how to bring it to screen was not done to it’s full potential which sucks. This has happened before where the idea is solid but it’s translating the writing to the screen where it can get lost and it happened with the Purge and it happened with this film. The film doesn’t pick up until the third act of the film and that’s where it really picks up the pacing and this film is an hour and 30 minutes that should fly by fast but it felt like a drag when that happens that’s a problem. So the pacing was a major issue for me but the idea and sheer concept of what they had in mind was amazingly well thought out. 

Secondly, The performances are fine for what material they have to work with. The standout is Elizabeth Banks who does give a different type of performance then we’re used to seeing her in. She gives an amazing amount of depth and emotion which really was a Strength for this film as you can see her acting her heart out and really giving this her all so she was one of the reasons why this film is also enjoyable is the sheer brilliant performance that is Elizabeth Banks and overall the supporting cast is fine but noting that really stands out compared to what Elizabeth delivers. 

Lastly, BrightBurn is a film that was amazingly well thought out as a concept and story which was truly interesting sadly the overall execution of that story wasn’t utilized to it’s full potential but was still a film that was enjoyable as if you want a film that’s a character study this is a great film to check out if you want gore this is also what you’ll want then but overall it’s a fascinating character study with a very solid idea with a unfortunate messy but still effective overall film. 

Rated R : for horror violence/bloody images, and language

This film is about a unusual 12 year old child who has powers and instead of using them for good he uses them for evil 

Elizabeth Banks : Banks provides a different kind of performance we’ve not seen before. She’s very comedic in most of her work and so seeing her in an environment where she in a serious role is interesting because she hasn’t shown that side to her before and it’s greatly shown here. Banks provides a layered performance of fantastically dramatic strength. As she plays the mother that has a son who is doing very evil spirited things and she’s in denial for the majority of the film and how Elizabeth is able to bring that to the full front of the screen was terrifically done. As she’s able to bring such a depth and great arc to her performance that is unlike anything else she’s ever done. She has such a raw realness to her in her eyes you can see and in her voice she’s so emotionally vulnerable and so genuine in her delivery you feel for her and can’t take your eyes off of her as she chews up the scenery in every scene. I really hope she can explore films in this kind of genre not specially horror but something that can showcase more of her dramatic talent. As when she cries and is full of rage you feel it and Elizabeth steps up to the plate to go places emotionally she hasn’t explored before and she really shows amazing emotional strength in her performance that will amaze you as this is a performance we had not seen from Banks before and it’s brilliant. 

David Yarovesky : David provides a strongly directed film. Yarovesky is a filmmaker who I’m unfamiliar with but after seeing what he brought to this film I definitely will keep an eye out for his future projects. As he uses the script smartly and shows the psychological effect on a person with superpowers and how they would function and the emotional and hardships that would come with it and what would happen if it didn’t go in a positive way but a negative way and he shows that so greatly it wasn’t the greatest script but he tries his hardest to make the best film with what he has got and it shows in the work as their is a great film in here and he tries his best to bring it out and in some ways he does as he shows such a realistic approach to the story even though it’s about a superhero he makes it so grounded in reality and then with that makes it more effective in the scares so it’s not over the top well not until the final act but he really gives great genuine scares that were greatly and smartly thought out and used with sound and smart techniques to get the audience to jump and not always because he dose use some horror tropes but for the most part his scare tactic for jumps scares and genuine scares throughout was smartly done. He also had a great cast with good performances and a standout performance from Banks he really gives a different kind of film that is a character analysis and study into the psychology of someone who had super powers. Overall David crafts a different kind of horror film and in some ways it was effective but their still was flaws but an overall effective film and due to the fact it works was because of the great direction by David.