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Just Mercy: Never Too Late for Justice

March 24, 2020 by Julie Levac Leave a Comment

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Based on true events, Just Mercy tells the story of Walter “Johnny D” McMillian (Jamie Foxx), a man who was wrongfully convicted of the murder of Ronda Morrison and sentenced to death in Alabama. Adapted from the book by Johnny D’s attorney, Bryan Stevenson (Michael B. Jordan), Just Mercy is a hard-hitting look at racism in Alabama in recent decades, and the reality of a corrupt justice system.

Set in Monroeville, Alabama, the birthplace of author Harper Lee, the film makes multiple references to Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird, a fictional yet soberingly accurate comparison to some of the events that took place in Just Mercy. If you’ve seen To Kill a Mockingbird, the scene in Just Mercy where all people of colour are standing at the back of the courtroom will give you a chilling flashback.

Bryan Stevenson moved to Alabama to begin the Equal Justice Initiative, a non-profit organization providing legal services to prisoners who could not afford a proper representative, who were not granted a fair trial, or who were likely wrongly convicted.

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The case against Johnny D was based on very little evidence, including a fabricated testimony of a fellow inmate. It was clear that he was targeted based on race and class. Johnny D had also been unfaithful to his wife with a Caucasian woman, and this news had travelled around town.

When Bryan first met with Johnny D to reopen his case, it was clear that Johnny D was broken and had lost hope. He didn’t want to feel the pain or put his family through it again. With every turn, it seemed as though there were more road blocks that they had to face. People were intentionally trying to sabotage the appeal despite knowing that there was no real case against Johnny D.

Just Mercy is yet another look into how the justice system does not always provide justice, and how people who serve time in prison often come out worse then when they went in. Johnny D developed dementia later in his life which was thought to be the result of his time in prison and the trauma of what he went through. In addition, the film also brings up the moral debate about the death penalty. On a human level it was very difficult to watch the emotional trauma these men experienced as they sat and waited to be killed.

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This film is real and powerful. 

Special features on the Blu-ray include “Making Mercy,” “The Equal Justice Initiative,” “This Moment Deserves,” and deleted scenes. The film is now available for digital purchase and download from Warner Bros.

Filed Under: Reviews, TIFF Tagged With: Alabama, Brie Larson, Bryan Stevenson, Equal Justice Initiative, Harper Lee, Jammie Foxx, Johnny D, Just Mercy, Michael B. Jordan, racism, Rob Morgan, Tim Blake Nelson, To Kill A Mockingbird, Walter McMillian

Colossal Undertaking – An Interview with director Nacho Vigalondo

November 2, 2016 by Steve Norton Leave a Comment

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When it finally receives its wide release, Colossal will surprise everyone. Given that it will most likely be marketed based on its supernatural elements, the film may seem like a simple monster mash-up.

But don’t tell that to the film’s writer and director, Nacho Vigalondo.

“It’s a mix,” he explains. “50% comes from my love towards monster movies and kaiju eigas. The initial premise is my way to approach those genres from a funny and, at the same time, accessible approach to me as filmmaker. The other 50% is my life, all my shades and bright moments.”

Written and directed by Vigalondo, Colossal tells the story of Gloria (Anne Hathaway), a woman who is dominated by her addiction to alcohol. After her boyfriend (Dan Stevens) ends their relationship and throws her out of his house, she returns to her family home in an attempt to find herself once again. While the Earth deals with a catastrophic kaiju crisis across the globe, Gloria takes a job in a local tavern and re-establishes relations with it’s owner (Jason Sudeikis), a childhood friend with whom she’d lost touch. As the two begin to reminisce and rebuild, Gloria soon realizes that she has a strange connection with the events taking place on the other side of the world.

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For Vigalondo, having the opportunity to work with stars like Oscar-winner Hathaway and comedy veteran Sudeikis was amazingly fortunate, especially considering that their names were brought to him.

“Those were the first names offered and today I can´t think of a better casting for this roles,” he muses. “They are talented, clever, and both surprising.”

What’s more, in an interesting twist on the kaiju genre, Colossal shifts the monster mayhem to Seoul, Korea, as oppose to the more traditional Japanese setting. For Vigalondo, however, the setting actually speaks more about the way American culture grapples with disasters that take place around the globe that do not affect them directly.

“Seoul represents [the] ‘not-USA’,” he begins. “[It’s] a nation struggling with a disaster that American people within the comfort of their houses contemplate, try to understand, and make jokes about.”

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With this in mind, one setting that is important to the film is the local tavern where the friends congregate each night. Gathering together until the early hours of the morning for drinking and storytelling, this location seems to take on the role of sanctuary for the characters. Nonetheless, Vigalondo also believes that the bar carries with it an element of danger as well.

“Not just the bar, but [more] specifically the “men cave” beyond the Country and Western side—the place where they drink after 2 am. That´s the place that works as the ultimate shelter for these characters, but it´s a trap. I’ve been there.“

What sets Colossal apart from other monster films (other than, arguably, the kaiju films developed overseas) is its ability to balance both character-focused drama with city-crushing monsters. (No offence Guillermo, but Pacific Rim hardly contained intimate personal issues.) Vigalondo admits that the film serves as metaphor for one woman’s struggle with addiction.

“The movie disguises itself as a cautionary tale about alcohol and addiction,” he explains, “but reveals [itself to be] something else as the story unfolds. The monster initially feels like a projection of Gloria´s (Anne Hathaway) troubles but later we see it´s just her.”

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Of course, any film is better off with Anne Hathaway leading the cast. With Hathaway’s incredible talent and range, she is able to portray Gloria as a woman in pain yet gradually discovering strength and hope. When asked where that hope comes from, Vigalondo explains that he believes true power comes when we’re forced to make changes in our lives.

“That was one of the most tricky parts while writing the script. How can I make this character survive this situation while saving as much lives as possible? As in real life, in order to change, you need to experience a breaking point and, after that, you need to think about yourself in new terms. Out of the box. That what she does, it´s not about being more strong, but to change the nature of your strength.”

With Colossal, Nacho Vigalondo has created something truly unique and captivating. By it’s unique blend of character-driven indie and kaiju film, Vigalondo manages to explore the damage that can be done to our souls by others while still offering sci-fi elements and humour. Both fun and serious, the film will truly give you something you’ve never seen before.

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Colossal, which made its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival in September, is currently touring the festival circuit but is expected to receive a wide release early in 2017.

Filed Under: Film, Interviews, TIFF Tagged With: alcohol, Anne Hathaway, colossal, Festival, Godzilla, Guillermo del Toro, Jason Sudeikis, kaiju, monster, movie, Nacho Vigalondo, TIFF, TIFF16, Tim Blake Nelson

tiff16: Anne Hathaway + Jason Sudekis (COLOSSAL)

September 8, 2016 by Steve Norton Leave a Comment

 COL_D26_0049.NEF

Gloria (Anne Hathaway) lives her life the only way she knows how… for herself.  Ruined by alcohol and partying, she finds herself out on the street after her boyfriend (Dan Stevens) tires of her behaviour and asks her to move out of his apartment.  With nowhere else to go, she returns to her childhood home and reconnects with Oscar (Jason Sudekis), her childhood friend.  Meanwhile, seemingly unrelated events from across the globe involve a gigantic monster rampages through Seoul, destroying everything in it’s path.  In the light of this global event, Gloria attempts to build a fresh start however she soon discovers that she has a surprising connection with the beast itself.

COLOSSAL is a fascinating film that presents itself (almost) as a kaiju monster epic but maintains the spirit of a character-driven independent drama.  Simultaneously funny, dramatic and dangerous, the film is always engaging.  Hathaway delivers a solid performance as the emotionally damaged Gloria but, ultimately, the most interesting role goes to Sudekis who walks the border between sweetheart and psychopath.  It’s a wildly different role for him and, hopefully, will continue to lead to more dramatic parts.  Admittedly, the film isn’t perfect.  However, director Nacho Vigalondo emphasis on the development of its characters creates enough space for the cast to explore their characters in ways that develop our interest.

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Despite the film’s global scale, the film is really centred on the relationship between the two leads and their personal journeys.  In essence, Gloria’s character exists in a world where she is constantly under the control of others (her boyfriend, Oscar, even alcohol) while Oscar’s emotional state demands that he remain in control.  There is a very real question at work here about what the nature of freedom and where our strength comes from to defeat the monsters in our lives.  Does it come from within ourselves?  Or must we rely on others? Despite the film’s unreal circumstances, Gloria’s journey feels grounded in reality as she battles her inner demons in an effort to confront the beasts on her doorstep.

Nevertheless, in COLOSSAL, the monster ultimately lies within.

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To hear our roundtable conversation with stars Anne Hathaway and Jason Sudekis, click below.

https://screenfish.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/TIFF-1on1-wAnne-Hathaway-and-Jason-Sudekis.mp3

Filed Under: Film, Podcast, Reviews, TIFF Tagged With: Anne Hathaway, colossal, comedy, coming-of-age, drama, Godzilla, Jason Sudeikis, monster, Tim Blake Nelson

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