Be Careful What You Wish for in a Stunning OBSESSION

Obsession is a deceptively simple, horror film that is a remarkably polished, cautionary tale enhanced by a strong performance by its female lead. 

Bear (Michael Johnston) is a lonely bachelor working in retail and is friends with coworker Nikki (Inde Navarrette) for whom he has strong feelings. One day he is shopping for a gift for Nikki and finds a purported ‘magic willow’ that, when broken, can grant any wish. Naturally, he wishes for Nikki to desire him, and suddenly everything changes for him.  What begins as an awkward change in behavior gradually escalates to creepy, even alarming levels that turn an idyllic scenario into an ominous and finally unadulterated nightmare.  When Bear gets buyer’s remorse, he tries to alter or stop the spell and learns that the ‘magic willow’ has certain, unbreakable rules.  As he realizes the truth, he tries to end this madness, and what follows is a harrowing, horrifying point of no return.

Obsessive females have rarely been depicted this explicitly; not even Play Misty for Me nor Fatal Attraction come close. One might even be reminded of Piper Laurie in Carrie or Linda Blair in The Exorcist!  Credit Navarrette for her outstanding, versatile portrayal of a woman who morphs from a gentle soul into someone to be feared.  It’s an interesting study of interpersonal relationships and the temptation to play God with devastating results. 

The fact that the film looks like a well-polished production and is still impactful belies its microscopic budget. It is a testament to up and coming director Curry Barker, and one can only hope for more films from an obviously talented filmmaker and from Navarrette.

****1/2 of ***** stars (especially the shocking, surreal ending)

The Gang is Back and More in TOY STORY 5

Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and the gang are back for Toy Story 5, a thoroughly entertaining, heartfelt adventure that continues the unbroken success of the beloved, computer animated characters and should strike the right note for kids and adults.

Bonnie is a lonely, young girl desperate to connect with a friend so her parents give her a tech toy, Lily (Greta Lee), which turns her attention away from her traditional toys, especially Jessie (Joan Cusack). Lily becomes an adversary to Jessie and the older toys, and when Woody (Tom Hanks) and Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) arrive to help, Jessie and her horse, Bullseye, become separated from Bonnie and end up with another family with a daughter named Blaze. As Woody and Buzz track down Jessie in a thrilling finish, can the toys and some new friends band together to bring happiness to Bonnie?  Moreover, can Jessie and Buzz find happiness together at the end?

After a seven year wait, director Andrew Stanton (Finding Nemo, Wall-E) and Pixar create another gem. It is remarkable how the toy universe has expanded with old and new, and in this case, Jessie’s story and the girl’s point of view are the center of attention as Woody and Buzz take backseat. Despite the resonating theme of the Computer Age taking over the Age of Toys and the emotions of rejection and acceptance, there are, to be sure, cute, funny moments.  As always, the animation is so impressive that these toys come alive with feelings and pathos.

With Randy Newman and Taylor Swift providing music and song, this compares favorably with the previous Toy Story films.  Stay for the post credits for a possible plot for a sure-to-be Toy Story 6 (which would complete Bonnie’s trilogy.)

****1/2 of ***** stars

Spielberg and His Comfort Zone in DISCLOSURE DAY

 

Steven Spielberg continues his fascination with aliens in Disclosure Day, a diverting, entertaining, and at times inspired adventure sci-fi film. 

Daniel (Josh O’Connor), in possession of an unknown object of potential power, is being pursued by Wordex, a secretive corporate entity led by Noah (Colin Firth) who will stop at nothing to keep the government’s decades old secrets on extraterrestrial encounters.  Another person, Margaret (Emily Blunt), is affected by a force that causes her to possess revelatory powers and foreign speak. Both are targets as they try to reveal a hidden truth that may cost them their lives.

Essentially one long, cross-country chase, it begins as a mystery that starts to connect the dots through its narrative following two individuals who are somehow connected to each other and to a larger conspiracy of silence. There are aspects of past memories and the power of belief. The story has the feel of exposing government secrets like in Spielberg’s The Post.  Having demonstrated a mastery of alien themes in E.T., War of the Worlds and Close Encounters of the Third Kind, which this film serves as almost a spiritual sequel, he may be guilty of covering already familiar ground.

This is the kind of film that may polarize audiences to a degree. While it addresses “the people have a right to know,” it touches on how the exposure of such secrets may have enormous ramifications upon religion and the world.  With a memorable score from John Williams and some thrilling escapes, this film runs a tad long but is constantly engaging to its emotional end.  It may not have quite the impact of Spielberg’s earlier films, but fans will likely embrace it especially for the strong performances of Blunt and O’Connor.

**** of ***** stars (for Spielberg fans)