Ahh, glory days.
When you’re a teen, music can mean everything.
In this coming-of-age 1980’s tale, Pakistani British teen Javed (Viveik Kalra) receives a life changing jolt when classmate Roops (Aaron Phagura) gives him two Bruce Springsteen cassettes.
Set against the backstreets of the economic downturn of Thatcher’s Britain and the rise of the neo-Nazi National Front, Blinded makes an easy case for why Jared would be looking for an escape from his hometown, and why he would find obsessive inspiration in lyrics from the Boss. The story is based on the life of Greetings from Bury Park author Sarfraz Manzoor, who wrote about how music transcends religion and race. But this is not a heavy film. Not at all.
Director Gurinder Chadha (Bend It Like Beckham) unabashedly presents his story as feel-good comedy, and an earnest ode to the power of music. The throwback music sequences in Blinded border on cornball, but most viewers will ultimately surrender to its infectious charm. Chadha, while screening the film for The Asian Film Festival of Dallas, said it best when she told the audience “This is not a film for cynics.”
To be fair, a film about a boy in the eighties who mysteriously relates to New Jersey’s Springsteen...and a film that wowed Sundance...I was always going to like. But I have no worry recommending a joy-filled film in a time where we need just that.
In a nutshell: It's an anthem to the importance of music, hopes and dreams in our youth (and beyond), and an infectious comedy that will make you want to dance in the dark.
Award potential: Chadha, who introduced the world to Kiera Knightly, has found screen- busting stars in both Kalra and Phagura. Along with Yesterday, this should be 2019’s front runner for Golden Globe’s Best Comedy category, and an interesting battle of the band movies.
"I'll Stand By You Always," a previously unreleased Springsteen song, will not qualify for most Best Song awards as it was not written specifically for this film.
The Ten Buck Review: Worth ten bucks.
Quentin Tarantino certainly knows how to milk a scene. He famously did so—with milk—in Inglorious Bastards, and Christoph Waltz took home an Oscar for it. As I was enjoying similar vignettes, set in a beautifully nostalgic Los Angeles, it occurred to me that this may not add up or have a point to it all.
Luckily for audiences, the scenes and the three main characters do come together at the end for a satisfying third act.
Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood centers on three la-la-landers at different stages of their Hollywood careers. Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie) is an uprising star, giddy to see her name in lights. Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) is the aging cowboy western lead, struggling to see his future in cinema or TV, and Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt), the stunt man, is at an early career end with nothing to show for it except his literal scars.
Their stories intersect a specific moment in history. When the Cielo Drive sign appears early in the film and eventually the date of August 8, 1969 swipes on the screen, you know what is coming — the brutal murders conducted by members of the Manson Family.
Thankfully the camera doesn't show the worst part of that day, but there is a story to tell.
I’m not a fan of violence as comedy, but there is something masterful about how Tarantino makes it work for storytelling. More than any of his films since Pulp Fiction, your investment pays off.
In a nutshell: If this sounds interesting to you—a 2.75 hour Tarantino fantasy film and an homage to 1960’s California—then you won’t be disappointed.
Award potential: It’s a long time before voting in January 2020 with a fall full of contenders, but L.A. loves films about themselves. Consider this the current front-runner for Best Picture, Original Screenplay, Director, Cinematographer, Actor, Supporting Actor, Supporting Actress, Editing and Costume.
I expect it won’t win any. Margot Robbie is sensational in an understated way that doesn’t fare well in supporting categories. The showier Quentin for Best Screenplay and Pitt for Best Supporting have the best chance at a win.
The Ten Buck Review: Worth ten bucks.
