Milwaukee Movie Talk
  • Home
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Festival Talk
  • Thoughts
  • Friends

Welcome to Happiness Review and 10 Questions.

5/21/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
Picture
by Stephen Milek
Welcome to Happiness is opening in 10 cities on Friday, and will be playing daily at the Time Cinema in MIlwaukee through May 26th. The movie is also available on iTunes, Amazon, and most cable, satellite, and internet on demand platforms.

​
Welcome to Happiness is a quirky fantasy film about two worlds. Woody (Kyle Gallner) is the gatekeeper between the two worlds. In his closet is a tiny door that strangers  go through.  Before each person gets to his apartment there is a mysterious printer prints questions for Woody to ask.  Sound strange? Well it is. Yet the film pulls you in. The door is a mystery at first. Not even Woody knows what's behind it. Yet strangers keep coming.  The first time he meets someone who had gone through the door and come back raises even more questions.  He learns that the door helps people fix their regrets.  This makes him very jealous because he has regrets himself.  Along with Woody the film follows two other guys Nyles (Brendon Sexton III) and Ripley (Josh Brenner) who are struggling with depression. Each one is at a different place in their journey but all of them are looking for happiness.  

The movie is filled with interesting and colorful characters.  Besides the three main guys there is the mysterious Moses played by the great Nick Offerman and the always fun to watch Keegan-Micheal Key as Proctor.   While I would like to get to know more about some of the characters (especially Key's Proctor and Molly Quinn's Lillian) they are just eccentric enough that you go along with it.  Writer/Director Oliver Thompson creates two contrasting worlds..  A "real" world and the dreamlike world that people enter when they go through the door.  But what I love about the movie are the philosophical questions it asks.  What does make people happy? What makes people sad? What do you do when you hit rock bottom? While there is no mention of religion the movie does have a spiritual feel to it.  When we learn what is behind the door it challenges the audience to think about what they regret and if it's worth holding on to it.  Maybe the view is too simplistic but it definitely gives you something to think about.  

Writer and director Oliver Thompson and Producer Bay Dariz were kind enough to answer a few questions for our 10 Question feature.  Check it out below.  The film is playing in select cities (including Milwaukee) now and available on VOD platforms.  

Overall
I enjoyed this film.  I loved the characters and the contrast between the two worlds.  The cast is amazing and each one looks like they are having fun in their roles.  If you get a chance definitely check it out.  
B+

10 QUESTIONS WITH OLIVER THOMPSON AND BAY DARIZ

​MMT:  Bay you are from Milwaukee and Oliver you are from Detroit.  How did you guys meet?
 
Bay: We met through a mutual friend soon after Oliver moved to LA four years ago, and started out collaborating on music. We quickly found out that we both wanted to make movies, and shifted our energies there.
 
MMT:  Oliver, the movie is definitely a unique fantasy film.  How did you come up with the story? And was it always going to be a fantasy film?
 
Oliver: Yes, the script began with the simple idea that a guy would have a magic door in his closet, I didn't even know where it would lead I just knew he would act as a "gatekeeper", so from the initial spark there was already a fantasy element to it.  
 
MMT: Oliver, you mention in your director’s statement that all three men are orphans. Did this come from a personal place or just something you felt would work well in the story?
 
Oliver: I never think about it very consciously, but it seems to be a theme that keeps reoccurring in my writing.
 
MMT:  You also mention that the idea was spawned from a conversation you had about horror movies. How did horror movies inspire this film?
 
Oliver: The conversation in question was actually about not wanting to make a horror movie!  We were trying so hard to get various horror related projects off the ground with no success, so I decided in that moment to write something that was completely opposite and see if it had better results.  It worked!  Like when George Costanza decides to act against every impulse and things start turning around for him.
 
MMT:  The cast is very impressive. How where you able to get such big names like Nick Offerman, Frances Conroy, and Keegan-Michael Key?
 
Bay: Kyle Gallner and Molly Quinn were both longtime friends of mine and became involved very early on. They had relationships with some of the other actors, and we also had an incredible casting director named Lauren Grey. Personal relationships helped us get actors to read the script, but ultimately everyone who signed on just really loved the material and wanted to play in our sandbox with us.
 
MMT:  Bay, before you became a producer you were an actor. What made you want to move into a different role? Was it hard to adjust? Did you have any thoughts about playing a part in it?.
 
Bay: I really love acting, but like most actors I just wasn’t getting the roles I wanted. Initially, producing was supposed to be more of a gateway to creating future acting opportunities for myself, but producing is so challenging and creatively fulfilling in other ways that I actually love it more than acting. I actually had an acting gig right after we wrapped, and it was a harder adjustment going back to being on set as an actor and not being in charge. I think I’ve found my calling as a producer.
 
MMT:  What movies were your inspirations for your film? It did feel like Being John Malkovich was at least a little influence?
 
Oliver: The two biggest influences on the script were actually TV shows, "Lost" and "Twin Peaks."  I think the whole thing started with the idea that it would be fun to make something mystical like Lost, and then I funneled it through some of the quirk and hyper-realism of Twin Peaks.  I don't remember thinking about "Being John Malkovich", but I'm a big Charlie Kaufman fan so it's probably always on my mind to some degree.
 
MMT: The movie feels like it has a lot philosophical influence, but no mention of religion. Just curious if it was conscious decisions not to have any mention of religion or if it just wasn’t part of the story you were telling?
 
Oliver: Philosophical and spiritual themes are definitely at the core of the movie, and religion very easily becomes part of that broader conversation, so I think those themes exist.  But it seemed better to not address them head on and let each person interpret it for themselves.  So to answer your question, I think the spirituality that religion can provide is definitely part of the story, but it didn't seem necessary or appropriate to address it specifically. 
 
MMT: What do you hope people get out of your movie? There is obviously a point you are trying to make what is it?
 
Oliver: I don't know if I really was trying to make a point.  The line "Everything happens for a reason" can probably be taken away as the thesis statement of the movie, but that wasn't something I thought about while writing.  I just hope people enjoy it.
 
MMT:  The film is opening up in select markets this weekend. It's exciting to have an indie film like this opening up in Milwaukee. Have you had much contact with other filmmakers in Milwaukee? Do you have a sense of what the film scene is like in Milwaukee?
 
Bay: It was always important to me that we play in Milwaukee if we could, because I know there’s an appetite for smart, independent films. When I lived in Milwaukee, I used to be one of the people going to the indie theaters every week to see everything that was playing. Many of my collaborators here in LA are from the Midwest (Oliver is from Detroit, our cinematographer Justin Talley is from Minneapolis), but I haven’t yet had a chance to get plugged into the Milwaukee film scene. I’ve been saying for a long time that I want to go back to Milwaukee and shoot a film there, so hopefully I’ll start making those connections soon.

0 Comments

The Hike Review

5/17/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
By Christopher K House
Full disclosure here, The Hike is a film that played at the 2016 Milwaukee Twisted Dreams Film Festival and this writer was one of the co-directors that hand picked this film so, I may be a bit biased. But, right off the bat I will tell you this is one heck of a ride.

The Hike is the work of writer, director, producer and star, Dave Fugett. It tells the story about an estranged couple that decide to go on a hike in the mountains and try and reconcile or decide to divorce. The setup is a long one as we learn more about the couple Brooke (Monica Olive) is the wife that has had enough of her husband Derek's (John Beland) drinking and excuses. Derek just wants to reconcile with his wife and rejoin the family with their young daughter but admits he hasn't stopped drinking.

Soon after, the film takes a dark turn as unexpectedly, Derek is shot in the foot. Confused, Monica tries to seek help so, upon returning to their vehicle, she meets a helpful stranger named Grady, played menacingly enough by Dave Fugett.
Grady offers help which Monica accepts, instead Grady kidnaps the couple and over the course of the rest of the film submits them to sadistic mental and physical torture.

The first thing that stands out is the superior acting in the film. Indie films are hit or miss when it comes to this department but, Fugett nailed it with his choice of actors. On why he chose to play Grady, he said in a Q&A after the film screened "If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself". And it worked. Grady was a despicable character we hated and wanted revenge on. The character had no back story to speak of and we didn't need one, we knew all we needed to know in a short time. The film had a flow to it that unraveled itself similar to some of the best thrillers. The characters felt real and organic, the chemistry was there and worked remarkably well.

What made the film is the fact that it's formula is one of the best a thriller like this can have, it can actually happen. The scariest things in life are the things that can happen to anyone at any time. We know we aren't going to be hacked to pieces by Jason Voorhees but, we don't know if we will run into a Grady on our next camping trip.  

Picture
The one drawback is the film has is it is a bit too long. Clocking in at just over 2 hours, it is long for a thriller like this. The first act dragged at times. Once we are introduced to Grady, the film really picks up but, we wait a while for that to happen. The scenery was beautiful compared to the stark contrast of the cruel torture Grady inflicts on the couple, both mental and physical. The overall production value was excellent and should be commended for it, One other thing to note was the soundtrack, it used licensed music. A very rare thing for an independent film but, Fugett admitted music was important and he felt the cost was worth it. This also helped us relate to the characters because we knew the songs, we didn't hear made up royalty free music we have no attachment with, it made everything more "real".

The Hike is currently making it's festival rounds so, if it comes to your area, make sure you see it, this is one film that will stick with you for a long time. Those are after all, the best films, ones that infect your mind.

Rating A-

For more info on the film and where it is playing be sure to keep up to date and bookmark the website HERE
0 Comments

Captain America: Civil War SPOILER Review

5/11/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
by Stephen Milek
MAJOR SPOILERS IN REVIEW
 
If you are looking for a spoiler free review check out Chris’ review here.
 
After years of anticipation Captain America: Civil War has arrived.  I have to admit that I had my concerns for this film.  There has never been a superhero movie of this magnitude, with 12 superheroes and at least 2 villains it seemed like a recipe for disaster. I thought it would suffer from what I call The Batman and Robin Syndrome. Batman and Robin set a precedent that each superhero sequel had to have more heroes and more villains.  This usually causes the whole movie to collapse. Spider-Man 3, The Dark Knight Returns, and Avengers: Age of Ultron each suffered at least a little from this syndrome.  So the question going in was could Civil War avoid it? The answer to my amazement was for the most part yes.
 
Quick non spoiler plot synopsis if you don’t already know. After an incident in Nigeria involving a small group of Avengers where civilians were killed there is international pressure to create an oversight for superheroes. A guilt stricken Tony Stark feels that it's the correct course of action while Steve Rogers feels any oversight will limit the good they do because everyone has an agenda and it’s not always for the best. This philosophical difference turns into a physical altercation when Captain America refuses to sign the accords and is deemed a criminal for rescuing Bucky. 

Continue below for more

Read More
0 Comments

Captain America - Civil War

5/6/2016

0 Comments

 
By Christopher K House
Picture
The summer movie season is upon us and Captain America -  Civil War kicks it off with a CGI filled bang.

There will be minor spoilers here because I feel I need to explain and expose some of the glaring plot holes that infest this (almost) great film.

We start off in 1991 with then brainwashed Bucky Barnes violently intercepting a speeding vehicle to steal a blue goo which we have no idea the meaning of but, we will eventually, right? It's a Marvel movie everything will make sense? Right?

Read More
0 Comments

    About Chris

    A film fan from an early age, Chris is a true cinephile. Starting with his first big screen experience, Star Wars to the current indie films, it's obvious he is obsessed with film. Chris has been writing about film and television since the early days of the internet. Chris is also a member of OFTA, the Online Film and Television Critic's Association.
    Follow on Twitter @TheFilmBully
    ​​

    About Steve

    A lover of all movies. Steve will watch anything from classic silent films to modern horror films.  Obsessed with the Oscars and Film festivals. Steve prides himself on watching every movie on the AFI 100 Greatest Movies and every Oscar winner. 
    Follow on Twitter @MovieRPH

    Archives

    December 2019
    October 2019
    June 2019
    October 2018
    May 2018
    October 2017
    September 2017
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    December 2015
    September 2015
    June 2015
    April 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014

    Categories

    All
    Andrea's Review
    Chris' Review
    Milwaukee Film Festival
    Movie Review
    Short Film
    Steve's Review
    Video Review

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly