The Vigil: (A Horror Movie Review)

The Vigil (2019) Written and Directed by Keith Thomas. I was not sure if I was going to write up a review, but this movie surprised me so much with it’s artistic elements--and how it was utilized in horror, that I felt like I needed to share it. At first glance, and within the first fifteen minutes of the film- everything seemed very stilted and….well to be honest, boring. I almost stopped watching it, and was like “OKAY PASS”. Yet, I held out because I wanted to see what would develop, and I am glad I did. Full warning, the acting in the opening was very dull, although the lead actor Dave Davis does stand out. He presents his character with some wide-eyed optimism mixed with shyness and excitement for his newfound freedom from what he feels has been a very oppressive religion. His presentation allowed me to get hooked into the story, especially when his character Yakov, is asked by his former Rabbi to sit as “Shomer'' in a Orthodox Jewish home of Rubin Litvak, a doctor and Holocost survivor, who recently passed. A “Shomer” is someone who sits with a body the night after a person passes. Mrs. Litvak, the wife of Rubin, has a form of dementia. Yakov asks why no one else can do it, and Reb Shulem (the rabbi) says they had someone who quickly changed his mind shortly after showing up to the house. ---SO already, there is a little bit of foreshadowing that makes the audience say ‘That’s suspish….’ Anyway, put yourself in young Yakov’s shoes-- he’s left his Orthodox Jewish lifestyle, living in New York City, with little money and a new apartment. He is just getting accustomed to modern technology, which includes a smartphone. Yakov worries that the rabbi is attempting to bring him back into the fold of his former religion, which Yakov does not want to do. Yet, he has no steady income…. So when Reb Shulem comes to him with a job that pays really well for one night, he reluctantly takes the offer. After a brief introduction between Mrs. Litvak and Yakov, which doesn't go that well, Reb Shulem leaves, promising to be by his phone if Yakov needs him… Which makes the audience wonder, why would Yakov need him? The door closes, and Mrs. Litvak rumbles upstairs. Suddenly and silently, Yakov is alone in a small living room, with a dead body covered with a sheet on a table. Yakov tries to listen to music. He tries to keep his back to the body. To be honest, I kept thinking, if I ever had to do that, I wouldn't want to face away from the body, I’d keep my eye on it, but I am not sure what is worse… the watching?... or looking away from a body? The one thing Yakov is not supposed to do is fall asleep… his job description literally is to stay awake to “comfort the soul” and ‘Keep evil spirits away’. So, what does he do??? He falls asleep for about an hour. He shakes himself awake and gets a text message from a cute girl he met. ...or is it really her? Around this point in the movie the audience begins to wonder how much is reality, how much is in Yakov’s head--as he is recovering from his own traumatic event, and probably unnerved by the body--- or perhaps what is happening is coming from real evil spirits lurking around the body. The audience learns a little bit about Mr. Litvak’s past in the Holocaust, that he might have done some things he was not proud of...things which would haunt anyone. Are literal demons coming to claim Ruben Litvak’s soul? When Yakov is sufficiently spooked, he calls a physician that he’s worked with...at 1 am, and leaves a worried message. Yakov believes his mental illness has returned. He tries to call the rabbi, who doesn’t answer (*Oh of course!!*). Yakov has another few disturbing interactions with Mrs. Litvak, and some unusual happenings on his new phone. He sees other things that thoroughly frightened me, but I won't tell too much in case you want to see the film. Things change for the worse when Yakov tries to leave the home. Then, Yakov realizes the only way he can maybe survive the night is to use his faith as a weapon against whatever is in the home. When he puts on the yamaka, and the traditional items for prayer, it seems like he is Rambo getting ready for battle. Things were very disturbing from this point on, at least for me, and I don’t scare easily. This film left me with a dark, lingering feeling for the rest of the night...like I was afraid to look in dark corners, and kept my fan on to drown out any possible unusual sounds (LOL). This film totally surprised me, and I recommend it to anyone who likes a long, slower paced psychological scare. The only thing I didn’t like, (besides the very dull beginning) was the title. I found the title to be a bit misleading, and I assumed ‘The Vigil’ had a Catholic or Christian meaning. Perhaps they should have called it “The Shomer”, because that would have been more authentic in the context of the culture. Everything else seemed very authentic, so by putting a very generic title like “The Vigil” weakened the overall theme of the film. If you do watch, be prepared for subtitles, I didn’t mind, but you have to be ready to read or you will miss information. Overall, I found it to be a very shocking, good scare.

Movie Review: My *Dead* Boyfriend

My Dead Boyfriend (2016) Starring Heather Graham, Scott Michael Foster, Katherine Moennig, feat. John Corbett, Gina Gershom, and more. This quirky film is high melodrama and full of colorful, over the top humor. It is also set in one of my most favorite places, New York City, in 1999. So, it had two things that drew me in. It also has Heather Graham as the lead, who is always charming and endearing. The additional cast members, especially John Corbett and Gina Gershom, also add their unique style and humor to it, so it made for an interesting watch. The plot is that Mary Mcrawley is a temp worker living with a self described “temporary” boyfriend in New York City on the verge of the Y2K crisis. The film starts out with her losing her temp job. A heavy metal version of the “Mary Tyler Moore Show” theme song plays as she tosses her high heel boots up in the air, over her head---in homage to the TV show--- but with a darker meaning because the shoes are tied together with shoelaces and wrap around the wires of a telephone pole. This signifies the ‘death’ of her office career. Along with this cynical and melodramatic moment, the credits are playing and occasionally there are animated people that walk by or sit or stand next to Mary as she experiences life in the city. At one point, a man insults her with what he thinks is a compliment, and a cartoon snake wraps around his neck as if to choke him. The man is unharmed, but the audience sees it as her intentions played out through the animated personalities. When Mary gets home to her tiny apartment, she talks to her boyfriend about the sh*tty day she’s been having, as he lays in a chair staring at the TV. She circles the room, talking for a full three minutes before realizing he is dead. Her unemployed, uninteresting boyfriend Primo Schultz is dead….and she barely noticed. When the police come, they make their inquiries, but it seems like the cops also don’t really care what happened to him. One cop flirts with Mary while the other watches TV. Only the Medical Examiner seems to be doing his job. This is a funny scene, due to the M.E.’s reactions. Through the next few days and meeting many of the other people in Primo’s life, Mary discovers that he was probably one of the most interesting men in New York City. Yet, when he was with her he was a total dud. She meets Helene (Gina Gershom), the fabulous French art gallery owner who was in love with him when he was young, and finds out Primo was a “genius” artist. Mary had no idea. She meets Harold, The Dog Walker (Scott Michael Foster) who blurts out that Primo was seeing someone--- not Mary---someone else. She crosses paths with strippers, a female band, and a transgender singer who had relations with Primo. Mary was surprised by his goings on because he never seemed to have a job or go anywhere or do anything. Mary meets Primo’s mother and his personality makes a whole lot more sense. Mary also has a cray-cray mother and family life too, that she gets figured out towards the end. As all of the puzzle pieces of Primo’s life fit together, Mary’s life starts to fall apart. She discovers most of the people she knew/know have been keeping secrets from her. She begins to tailspin, but in the end she discovers who and what matters to her. No more “temp” anything for her, as Primo’s crazy life helps her find her own. It was a good film, very silly, very funny with dark humor. There was a continuity issue because at one point Mary (Heather Graham) brings Primo’s urn into a bar to get drunk, but then doesn’t leave with the urn. Then, in a later scene, she is holding it again. That aggravated me. Also, the opening credits were hard to read. They were done in a graffiti style, which was cool, but because Mary was walking on a busy street, I couldn’t read any of the titles. They should have put a black or white background around the titles. I really enjoyed the animation. That added an artsy, downtown NYC flair to the film. Also, I liked John Corbett’s reactions to everything--- because he doesn't speak, but has to emote using his expressions. Everything with Primo in it is done in either flashback or dream sequence which end up being goofy and over the top. Scott Michael Foster is very charming and easy on the eyes, and Gina Gershom’s French lady is great. I recommend it, but you really have to be into this type of humor.

Never Been Kissed, or, Romantic Undertones that Still Get Me to This DAY.

Never Been Kissed (1999) Starring Drew Barrymore and Michael Vartan, with David Arquette, Molly Shannon, and so many more stars. So this film will always be written in my heart as one of my favorite movies ever, primarily because I identify so much with Ms. Josie Gellar, or “Josie Grossie”, played by Drew Barrymore. I am a Drew Barrymore fanatic, and I know so many love her. Michael Vartan is very cute as the ‘cool’ Mr. Coulson, who becomes Josie’s love interest. It doesn’t start out that way. Josie is a 25 year old ‘nerdy’ copywriter who wants to be a reporter, but her boss, Gus, played by John C. Reilly, won’t give her a chance. She also is hiding a secret, that she’s never been kissed, let alone anything else. She gets the assignment of a lifetime when her boss’s boss tells her to go undercover as a high school student to find out ‘What kids are like’. Sounds exciting, and simple enough… Still, Josie totally mucks it up... even with some help from her friend Anita (Molly Shannon), she ends up back with the ‘nerdy’ group just like she was in high school. The geeks/nerds are not who Gus wants her to be reporting on. He wants her to be getting the ‘dirt’ and the scoop on the drugs, drinking, and sex going on in the school…. While Josie is hanging out with the Mathletes and quoting Shakespeare. Still, Josie struggles to get in with the ‘cool kids’ and feels bad about leaving the one friend she made, Aldys (LeeLee Sobieski) behind. There are many obvious references to Shakespeare’s “As You Like It”, which has a main theme of the ingenue disguised as something else (a young man), which in turn frees her to find true love. This clearly ties in with the theme of Josie pretending to be younger, which gives her the freedom to express herself in her true form… which in turn catches the eye of the young teacher Mr. Coulson. Mr. Coulson, or Sam, is puzzled by his developing romantic feelings for Josie, who to him is a student. This has “Don’t Stand So Close To Me” vibes, all over it. In this case, however, Josie has tricked him, unfairly, to think she is a student when she is really 25 and has a lot of maturity. She also has the same smarts and love of words and language that she did in high school-- which to the Language Arts teacher, Mr. Coulson, becomes a lure. Much like Orlando in “As You Like It”, he is concerned by his feelings because it is wrong to love a teenage student. Orlando, similarly, was puzzled by his feelings for a young man, when he never had those feelings before. Disclaimer *Not that there's anything wrong with that, just as all are consenting adults*. Anyhoo, Josie has to hide her feelings for him, and focuses on ‘getting the story’. She goes to a party and tries to be with the ‘cool kids’, unwittingly intaking a large amount of THC by eating a giant pot brownie. The next dance scene is... lively as Drew Barrymore cuts a rug with a giant pink boa and makes the white girl overbite with her lips while thinking she’s being sexy. I laughed so hard, my cheeks hurt. Soon enough, Josie’s brother, Rob (David Arquette) comes to her rescue by being the new ‘cool guy’ in town. While also posing as a student, he starts dropping hints that Josie is actually really cool. Later, he finds meaning in life when he becomes a part of the baseball team. Things come full circle for Josie when she gets asked out by the school hunk, Guy, for prom. This happened to her once before, in real high school, with disastrous consequences. Here, Drew Barrymore lets the audience have it with the full range of emotions, from sadness, embarrassment to pure joy and elation. Her comic timing is perfect, she is willing to make an absolute fool out of herself if it fits the scene, and at the same time she can make the audience cry by showing the heartbreak of the character. Luckily, by prom, Josie has “transitioned” as the kids call it, to a cool kid… but this time it is up to her to spare the embarrassment of someone she cares about… and though she helps Aldys, she hurts her brother’s feelings and Sam’s feelings. That final scene at the baseball field is iconic. The Beach Boys playing in the background is perfect, and Josie finally gets her first kiss. I know I swooned at the scene, and I’m sure many many other women think of it as one of the most romantic scenes in modern movie history. Oh, and by the way, apparently Drew Barrymore is a very good kisser, because Michael Vartan admitted on her talk show this year that he had to excuse himself, to umm…calm himself down at the end of one take. Sparks were really flying on that mound, so it seems! This movie… what a fun film. ALSO, I felt *everything* this journalist felt in my first rewatch of this film in 20 yrs, see below: https://www.buzzfeed.com/jennaguillaume/never-been-kissed-adult-rewatch

Whirlygirl and My Experiences Behind the Scenes

Whirlygirl (2004)

This film was shot in Avon, CT and New Haven, CT and I was a volunteer for set dressing on production. It was filmed in and around the Avon Old Farms campus, which is a private school in Connecticut. The silo scene is pretty cool, as it was filmed on the inside of a real silo on the campus. The club scene was fun because I got hired as an extra for that day, and if you squint, and try not to blink you can see me on the dance floor, for two to three seconds. It was the most fun I’ve had at a ‘job’ ever. Whirlygirl is a story loosely based on events that the writer experienced going to high school at an all boys prep school. There, in order to have any sort of contact with the outside world and women, they smuggle in a dancer called “Whirlygirl” for one night of partying on campus. She proves to be way more than they ever dreamed of, and one of the guys, James, falls head over heels for her. The plot twist is, she might be a thief. James tracks her down in the city, and finds out her real name is Alice, and she did in fact steal his watch. And though she tries to avoid him at first, she falls for him too. (*It’s supposed to be New York City* but was filmed in New Haven), They have several wild nights together. Later they are joined by her dancer friends, and his crazy, hormonal teenage classmates. It’s basically one giant party over a few days. The friends go back to class, while James is confronted with the reality that this love thing might not last. Especially when a stalker comes back to the apartment, and a much older boyfriend comes to visit. James can’t seem to choose between school and running back to the city. She doesn’t make it easy on him, either. James has to make a decision to go back to prep school, or follow his heart. Acting wise, I thought that Julian Morris did a good job, he’s also cute, so that helps. Monet Mazur was certainly the most experienced performer, and is the best in the film at holding focus. She’s certainly sexy, that’s for sure. For me, it's the supporting actors that make this film fun. They were all unique in their own ways, and each had an individual spin on what it would be like to be a prep-school boy. I also met most of them, and they were the most down to earth, fun guys to hang out with. I guess the overall experience of being on set of the film colored my view of the film, and I love it. Especially when seeing parts of two towns that I know very well. It’s not the BEST film, but it is fun. It’s a guilty pleasure.

Marsha P. Johnson, Activist and ICON... and the tragic story behind her death.

The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson Documentary (2017) Marsha P. Johnson says it in her own words, “Every gay counts”. That is the sentiment of this investigative documentary. Marsha P. Johnson was a transgender woman, who was at the forefront of the gay rights movement. Alongside her closest friend Sylvia Rivera, the two created “STAR”, a nonprofit group to help trans people in the community find support, food and shelter. Marsha and Sylvia are reported to be two leaders who began the riot of Stonewall, in June of 1969. The Stonewall is a gay bar in lower manhattan starting in the era when being gay was against the law. The police raided the bar and began to arrest patrons. The police had done this many times before, but this night was different. That is when the people being arrested had enough, and began to fight back. Now called the Stonewall Uprising, the riots, fires, and fighting the police lasted through the night. The very next day, the first pride march occurred, and STAR was created shortly after that. Sadly, Marsha’s death was thought by many of her closest friends to be a suspicious death. In 1992, she was found floating in the Hudson River, along the pier. Police quickly ruled it a suicide and swept the case under the rug. Yet, gay rights activists and Marsha’s friends deny that she was suicidal. Marsha was known by everyone to be a happy person. The police claimed that she was giving away her things, therefore suicidal, but her friends say, she was just like that, giving. If anyone liked a scarf or accessory she’d give it to them. This is an example of a generous spirit, not someone emotionally on the edge. Even a woman who learns of her death says on camera ‘oh Marsha, I knew Marsha, she was like the happiest person I ever met’ {paraphrased}. The activist who picks up the case is Victoria Cruz of The Anti-Violence Project. Victoria is also transgender and is no stranger to trauma and discrimination. She feels this case is a personal one for her because she knew Marsha and has her own story of abuse. She has been working on it for decades but has had trouble getting any real information. The police involved, both retired and active, have been giving her nothing but dead ends. At one point, Victoria asks to see a file regarding the case and she is told it is ‘missing’. She also asks for the autopsy report for Marsha’s case and is told she can only get it through the family, that the family needs to request it. The family meets with her and consents. After much time passes, Victoria sees the paperwork, and it stated ‘possible homicide’. After all of this searching, the suspicions are confirmed in the coroner’s report. The question is, why didn’t anybody follow up on it in 1992? Sadly, Victoria is pressured to move on by her supervisor. The case has been reopened and is being handled by the FBI. Along with Marsha’s story, we learn a lot about Sylvia Rivera, a transgender woman, and Marsha’s best friend. Her story begins as someone who is a rebel, an activist, and a tough-talking firebrand. She was the organizer out of the two ladies. She had a very tough road, full of sadness and hardship. She does have a happy ending in the last part of her life. She died February 19, 2002. With all the difficulty and sadness in the world, Marsha and Sylvia were rays of sunshine and full of life. I swear if I met Marsha in person, I think I would try to make her my best friend. She could be decked out in pink chiffon, flowers and pearls one moment, or wearing a mirrorball looking cap while singing terribly in another. Or, she could decide to not be in drag on a particular day, who knows. Whatever fit her mood. The spontaneous way she lived her life is something to aspire to. I only hope there is justice for her someday.