Neil Blomkamp, director of District 9 and Elysium, brings us Chappie, the tale of the very first sentient robot. If you liked both of Blomkamp’s previous movies, you will most likely enjoy this movie. All of his movies have an extraordinarily unique look and feel to them; Chappie appears to follow suit. It strives to give the audience an intellectual experience, while also maintaining the amazing visuals and CGI that have become a Blomkamp staple. Speaking of Blomkamp staples, Sharlto Copley voices Chappie; other cast members include Hugh Jackman, Sigourney Weaver, and the South African zef rap group, Die Antwoord. If you have never listened to them, go do so immediately. They are weird as hell. Also, I never imagined that all of those people would ever be in a movie together, but I am pleasantly surprised. Die Antwoord and Blomkamp share an intense love for South Africa and, hopefully, Chappie is able to convey their passion. I cannot wait any longer for this movie. It needs to come out, like, right now.
2) Furious 7
Be honest with yourself. You know you want to see this movie. You cannot fool me. The Fast and Furious series is a guilty pleasure, kind of like gorging on chocolate. We all know our lives would probably be more productive without them, but we absolutely love them regardless. Although, to be fair, it is not like the Fast and Furious movies are advertised as being mind-bogglingly witty. The trailers basically highlight three things: the cars that we all want but will never ever own, the women who only exist in these types of movies and the stunts that are so improbable that they might have actually happened. I am particularly excited to see this movie because Jason Statham is the new antagonist, which makes me simultaneously happy and also sad. I am so used to seeing him as the flawed hero that I do not know if I can accept him as a villain. On another sad note, I am interested to see how Paul Walker’s death will affect the story. Like I said, I am excited for this movie…and so are you.
3) A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night
Ana Lily Amirpour brings the world a genre-bending masterpiece in A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night. This movie molds a spaghetti-Westernesque soundtrack to the story of a lonely Iranian woman, who also happens to be vampire. Yeaaaah baby. That sentence alone makes me want to watch this movie. How could a movie that is so insanely out-there be bad? If I had a nickel for every time a movie like A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night was created, I would have zero nickels. Why the hell do we even need nickels anyway? Any who, I digress. This film takes lighting up a few notches. It is shot entirely in black and white, which I think makes the lighting look absolutely phenomenal. It is clearly aesthetically pleasing, but it is also powerfully metaphorical. Women have been fighting globally against overwhelming odds to earn the same rights as men. Vampires, although they carry a negative connotation, are also described as creatures of great beauty and power. I do not want to over analyze this film based on a two-minute trailer, but I can say this with all sincerity: there is more to this film than meets the eye. I am already assuming that A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night will far surpass any of my expectations. It will be a movie for the ages.
words_collin stevens. photo_sundance film festival. videos_youtube.
