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The Tattooist of Auschwitz (2024)
A glimpse into one of history's darkest chapters
This series delivers a poignant and powerful portrayal of unimaginable suffering and resilience. With impressive makeup and effects and flawless acting, the series brings to life the heartbreaking story of Lali Sokolov, a man haunted by guilt and the unwavering traumas of his past. Through his narrative, the series offers a necessary glimpse into the immense suffering of the Nazi Death Camps, reminding us of the atrocities committed and the enduring legacy of genocide. 'The Tattooist of Auschwitz' serves as a poignant reminder that we must never forget the millions who suffered and perished, and the importance of bearing witness to history's darkest chapters.
Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story (2007)
This film feels extremely relevant in 2024 and our current obsession with nostalgia
Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story is a parody music biopic which reminds me of Daisy Jones & The Six. Watching it in 2024, when there are loads of feature films re-enacting the lives of artists like Elvis Presley and Elton John, is quite interesting.
There are references which validate the band existing within our reality and the idea that this is a documentary, such as conversations with The Beatles when they were younger, and moments which bear great, although comical, resemblance to Bohemian Rhapsody, a film based on Freddie Mercury and the band Queen.
It also has made me aware of just how many nostalgic movies, songs, and concerts are taking over right now. It's almost as if everyone has woken up and yearned for the recent past. Bands like AC/DC are touring Europe in 2024 to celebrate reaching their 50th year anniversary, which may also be the last time as they are in their 70s, so you can see why the film feels even more relevant today.
Walk Hard mocks every detail about the portrayal of rockstar icons, which glorifies a toxic and drug fuelled life style. It follows the classic rockstar timeline of leaving home young, settling down in a small town with a wife and kids, then after some short-term struggle he becomes globally famous, cheats on the road and abandons his family, which leads to a drug and sex addiction, then pushing people away and hitting rock bottom, to finally a big story of redemption.
Silly little moments like the type of drugs they were taking also reflected the stages in their life added to the continuous thread of humour and irony; from weed as teenagers to erectile dysfunction in their 70s. The director Jake Kasdan knew exactly when to make the scenes play out just that little bit too long and what seemingly small detail to exaggerate to the fullest.
John C. Reilly plays the part very well, his voice beautifully blends into the eras of music, and is quite frankly, exceptional. Although I wasn't expecting much else after a glimpse at his voice within Chicago.
This is a tale we see a lot in both real life via the news, social media and on the TV screen in documentaries or semi-scripted reality shows, but also in feature films of real life and fictional music legends. But no matter how we receive this tale, it is often the same self-fulfilling prophecy and legacy of self destruction. Walk Hard is quite an unexpectedly funny take on how reality and fiction reflect the same narrative, the absurdity of fame. It is hard to separate fact or fiction when it comes to the infamous rockstar lifestyle.
Walk Hard shows us that it can take your whole life to make a masterpiece, but it's "a beautiful ride". Your legacy becomes how you right your wrongs, not just the messy parts in the middle. Showing up for his family and staying sober was Dewey Cox's redemption. He, quite literally, woke up and smelt the roses.
Ricky Stanicky (2024)
John Cena stole the show!
Ricky Stanicky is a fun and goofy comedy with some seriously funny moments. The show is stolen by John Cena, who plays Ricky Stanicky, the made up friend that Dean (Zac Efron), JT (Andrew Santino) and Wes (Jermaine Fowler) use as an excuse for decades of getting in trouble and escaping their partners for boys trips.
Ricky Stanicky is a goofy, fun loving character who takes his role as a performer very seriously. It has the silliest (and best) depiction of rock bottom which I have ever seen; John Cena sitting on his knees amongst bin bags licking spilt beer off the floor, dressed as the 'Oops I Did It Again' Britney Spears. But as he jumps through one window, another opens, as he gets the opportunity for a role of a life time.
I guess the main take-away of this film is to appreciate what you have, and that if you work hard you can achieve the impossible. Ricky Stanicky was born from lies and deception, but instead of the one sided gratification which came with lies of Ricky Stanicky for the 3 friends, in the end, he made everyone's lives better for all the right reasons.
Baby Reindeer (2024)
A haunting tale of obsession and validation
Baby Reindeer is Netflix's gripping new 8-part series that follows the bizarre and unsettling real-life interactions between a stalker and comedian Richard Gadd, whose character is named Donny. Through intimate, beautifully poetic monologues written and spoken by Richard Gadd himself, and unsettling encounters with Martha, played by Jessica Gunning, it delves deep into the psyche of both predator and prey, leaving viewers both disturbed and captivated. Baby Reindeer reveals the chilling complexities of desire, validation, and obsession, whilst exploring the intricate dynamics of infatuation and manipulation, whether it's platonic, romantic, or professional.
The show begins lighthearted and funny, but then descends into darkness, portraying experiences of grooming, sexual assault and rape. Whilst many scenes were incredibly hard and distressing to watch, others were eye-wateringly honest and open. Hauntingly portrayed is a subconscious coping mechanism, where after sexual assault the abused may begin to sexualise the violence experienced, reclaiming its power or replaying the moments in hopes to understand what and how transpired in a guilt inducing confusion, which I have not yet seen play out in another TV show or film so sensitivly or honestly.
Donny's self-destructive aftermath and the craving for approval, even from the abuser, only fed his insecurities. The desperate need for validation and the frequent threads of pity are palpable throughout, intertwined with the importance of parental acceptance and support. As the series progresses, it becomes a harrowing tale of two individuals grappling with their own demons and desperately seeking healing amidst a tumultuous journey of obsession and madness.
Donny's struggle with following his dreams of fame as a comedian is enough to send someone into a spiral, as he faced failure repetitively. This greatly reflects the fluctuation of highs and lows in so called 'unconventional careers'. I found the scene where Donny bares his soul in a tearful confession in episode 7 to be very cleverly introduced. In an earlier episode, his comedy sets within the Edinburgh Fringe Festival open with a loud (both in volume and fashion), flamboyant, full of energy entrance, with music and hip thrusting, he then abruptly stops and leads with "my mum died today". This style of juxtaposition comedy bled into real life, as in the penultimate episode Donny breaks down on stage sharing all of the awful experiences and stress he has endured. As the crowd sits in an awkward silence, he then plays his jingle about condoms and popadoms on a noise maker, and then leaves the stage. The set became him and swallowed him whole.
Jessica Gunning's ability to unravel on screen was utterly impressive, and I was conflicted with seeing her as the villain when so clearly troubled and unwell. Richard Gadd's genuine vulnerability and bravery within Baby Reindeer is an unforgettable performance, and even more so knowing that these are his life experiences and own words.
In the end, I believe Martha and Donny share many similarities, whether Donny would like to admit it or not. They start out both as dreamers, lost in their imaginations and aspirations for the future. They are ceaseless when it comes to something they love and yearn for, for Donny appreciation and comedy, and for Martha, appreciation and Donny. Martha noticed his pain, which he recognises when he said "Martha saw me the way I wanted to be seen". And Donny saw hers, even if in the form of a free cup of tea. They also relate in their fears, and in their depths of obsession. Her infatuation overcame him and he too was soon obsessed. Even when in prison, her shadow lingered at the bus stop or in the answer phone messages which still flooded his ears.
"Baby Reindeer" is a compelling and thought-provoking exploration of trauma, desire, and the complexities of human connection. In the end, they were just 2 people desperately struggling to heal.
Waiting for Guffman (1996)
Utterly hilarious and oddly inspiring!
I have just rewatched Waiting for Guffman (for probably the twentieth time) and was instantly reminded of how utterly hilarious and oddly inspiring it is. It manages to capture the wide spectrum and true experiences of being an artist, and as a sculptor myself, I know these struggles all too well!
In most documentaries about a creative project, whether it be a concert, an exhibition, a tv show or a film, you only see glimpses of the final product; Throughout a whole film which builds up for 1 hour and a half, you're lucky to catch 1 minute. But to allow the musical the space for over 20 minutes was profoundly cathartic. We got to experience Corky and the cast's proud performance, where the songs still itch a scratch in my brain which I can't seem to satisfy anywhere else. And in the context of it being a documentary (or rather, mockumentary), the showing of the musical was also providing an unforeseen opportunity for their dreams to be achieved.
There is an interesting nuance with the ending, as the chair for Mr Guffman was filled by an out-of-town stranger. Creative worlds are typically gate-kept; 1,000 people could absolutely love your work but only 1 person could help change your life. 'Making it' and stepping away from that 'emerging artist' label is a blurry line, and what makes anyone qualified to say whether you have or not? Taste is subjective, and talent slips under the radar painfully easily. You have to be good enough to even 'make it', and you have to stay consistent, continue to make gradual steps towards your goal; but the reality is, whether we like to admit it or not, a lot of it rests on luck, on being in the right place at the right time and knowing the right people.
When the cast finds out the seat was taken by a stranger, they are disappointed and their dreams are seemingly crushed. But actually, having the approval of a complete stranger with no connection to the creative space, expectation, or experience with the place and subject, should mean more than anyone else who could've sat in that chair.
I relate to all the characters within this film. They all share my dreams, my ambitions, my unwavering sense of hope, my drive, but also the fears which relax in the corners of my mind, the fears of settling and giving up.
But Waiting for Guffman shows us that success doesn't have to be loud. You can make noise wherever you are. You've just got to keep going.
It is a true masterpiece, still some 27 years later.
This Is Your Death (2017)
A film which brings light to our morbid fascination with tragedy, in the mask of entertainment.
This film has a really interesting concept, which reveals our human fascination with the theatrics of death (which dates back to and beyond the Roman Colosseum), but also our unhealthy relationship with gamifying peoples lives and experiences in the name of entertainment. It demonstrates the immense pressure and stress day-to-day life can have on people, and the power of desperation.
There is an underlying conversation about how the sickness of addiction, loneliness, guilt, financial gain, greed and fame can eat away at a person, with clear references to sacrifice. We sacrifice our time and our lives to jobs which most people don't have a passion for or which fails to bring them fulfilment. We also sacrifice our pride by doing things we aren't proud of - for what? To survive and not thrive? The film draws on this by encouraging people to give the biggest sacrifice yet, their life for money, and the audience seems to believe this is greatly noble.
The TV show host's goal (played by actor Josh Duhamel) was to make something real which cuts through the fake 'reality' shows which flood our screens, but instead, gamified and glamorised suicide.
Things that truly shock us, in this case public displays of suicide, are only interesting because we are so numbed from the constant feed of content or information through our phones, TV and the media. Even the nightly news scare mongers us with solely grisly details. But this film confirms that our morbid curiosity only extends to strangers, to those who are distanced from our own lives and that we can forget about tomorrow, as we wait for the next viral shock.
The producers for the TV show within the film believes the audience craves death and destruction, when actually, a story of survival and the underdog beating the odds is what they craved. A story which provides hope that we too can survive this day and this life.