Jarrett the Cinephile

Jeff Nichols' latest feature took as many twists and turns since its 2023 Telluride premiere till its recent release akin to those a roaring motorcycle would have taken. Thanks to Focus Features (and Universal), the film finally meets global audiences after some ten months approx. Still of Austin Butler ("Benny") in The Bikeriders (Credits: Universal Pictures and Focus Features) Nichols owed it to Danny Lyon's book of the same title (and in it, Lyon's interviewed accounts) of the American Midwestern motorcycle community in the mid-1960's through to the early 1970's for his inspired screenplay, which to me is mediocre at best. A community and their history much relegated to the margins of mainstream attention and discussion, it was interesting to learn a thing or two about this somewhat forgotten part of American culture and history through this film. A fine ensemble of performers salvaged this lackluster inspiration/adaptation. Still of Jodie Comer ("

Impartiality shall make this film review the most difficult one for me just yet. On a personal level, I dig Challengers and would gladly do a spontaneous watch just about anywhere, anytime (especially after it goes on video and stream). Technically, I am also fully aware it has noticeable flaws, even one or two rather fundamental slips if I may say so. Allow me to put on permanent record first, of what I said about Luca Guadagnino on social media before, in particular regarding this film - this filmmaker is for sure going to hell for the lust he both commits and brings out in us. Challengers spells tension: tension on the tennis court of course, but just as intense, if not more so, was the sexual tension throughout the film. Sure, this movie is no Basic Instinct (1992), but a lot is going on beyond the highly anticipated intimate scene in the first act, and Reznor and Ross's score is responsible for 50% of that easily. Still of Zendaya in Challengers  (2024) (Credits: Amazon MGM

Dev Patel just "springboard-ed" his own career. What an electrifying filmmaker debut. It's hard to imagine an intense action-thriller like this with SO much passion, perseverance and personal touch to it was almost shelved onto Netflix directly. Jordan Peele deserves even more respect professionally for bringing this killer (literally) debut by Patel from the depths of Netflix's catalog and having it screened worldwide, deservingly, for moviegoers to witness the sheer potential, and hardwork, of Dev Patel. Still of Dev Patel in Monkey Man (Credits: Universal Pictures, Bron Studios, Thunder Road Films and Monkeypaw Productions) Monkey Man (2024)  is not a perfect film, both objectively and subjectively. By setting this straight, I think we can all appreciate Patel's efforts better. The story he tells here is one probably seen by cinephiles at least fifty times throughout their lives - the underdog-revenge tale. What Patel does, however, that sets both him and this