Friday, November 29, 2019

Doctor Sleep: Mike Flanagan Unites the Iconic Worlds of King and Kubrick

The Shining is one of Stephen King’s most beloved novels. For many readers, it’s the work that cemented their interest in King’s writing, and turned them into long-time fans. Stanley Kubrick released a film version of the book in 1980, and that eerie, visually stunning movie (featuring Jack Nicholson) is now regarded by many as a classic of horror cinema. Except that is, for Stephen King. He intensely disliked the movie, and the changes Kubrick made to his original story. King has both spoken of and written about his disdain for the Kubrick film over the years. He even wrote the teleplay for an ABC TV movie remake in 1997 starring Steven Weber that stuck closer to the novel. The author’s most notable rebuff of Kubrick’s take on his story is the novel Doctor Sleep, which was published in 2013. The book, a sequel to The Shining, follows a grown up Danny Torrance as he struggles with the ghosts of his past, and his terrifying childhood experience at the Overlook Hotel. The novel garnered positive reviews from critics and fans, and in his introduction, King recalls his dislike of the Kubrick film, and how he wanted to complete Danny’s story in his own way, essentially ignoring the movie. Doctor Sleep was a huge bestseller, and a film version was inevitable.

Who would tackle this adaptation of King’s work? After the project was stuck in development hell for a while, writer-director Mike Flanagan took on the job. Flanagan, who made a splash with the chilling Netflix series The Haunting of Hill House, and also helmed a well-received version of King’s novel Gerald’s Game, pitched a unique idea. He wanted the film version of Doctor Sleep to pay homage (and stay true to) to King’s version of The Shining, as well as the style and iconography of the Kubrick movie. He presented his ideas to Stephen King, and the author signed off on the concept. It helped that King had liked Flanagan’s film of Gerald’s Game, and was a fan of The Haunting of Hill House. The cinematic version of Doctor Sleep is currently in release, and it’s a chilling treat for fans of King’s novels, and Stanley Kubrick’s film. 

The movie charts the journey of an adult Danny Torrance, who’s never gotten over the trauma caused by the nightmarish events he and his mother endured when the dark forces of the Overlook Hotel possessed his father. Danny’s an alcoholic, and drifts through life on a series of benders and one-night stands. The spirit of Dick Halloran (who also had the power of the shining, and befriended Danny at the Overlook before he was killed by Danny’s father) visits Danny and teaches him how to use his gift to put his fears and nightmares to rest. This helps Danny turn his life around, and he settles down in New Hampshire, gets a job, joins Alcoholics Anonymous and makes some new friends. He works at a hospice facility, where he quietly sits with patients about to pass on, guiding them to the next world, thus gaining the nickname “Doctor Sleep.”

Ewan McGregor and Carl Lumbly

Meanwhile, a nomadic band of killers (called the True Knot) led by the beautiful but deadly Rose the Hat, hunts down children who have the shining and robs them of their life force. This group of “energy vampires” prolongs their own lives by feeding off these innocent children. In one of the film’s most chilling and unsettling sequences, they drain the energy of a young boy who they’ve stalked and captured. This puts them on a collision course with a young woman named Abra, who can see what they’re doing thanks to her own gift of the shining. The problem is, it's a two-way connection: Rose can see Abra as well, and feels the depth of the young girl’s power. Abra connects with and befriends Danny, while Rose plots to find her and take all of her energy for the long-lived members of the True Knot. Danny decides to help Abra stop these monstrous beings, and end their reign of terror. His decision to aid Abra will not only put him in the crosshairs of Rose and the True Knot, but will bring him face to face with his deepest and darkest fears at the one place he thought he’d never return to: the Overlook Hotel. The climactic showdown will bring the nightmares of that evil location back into Danny’s life, as he and Abra try to end Rose's reign of terror.

Flanagan and his crew do a fantastic job melding together the worlds of King’s novels and Kubrick’s film. The spectacular production design effectively recreates the memorable backdrops of Kubrick’s movie. Flanagan also seeds the film with elements of Kings original novel that weren’t used in Kubrick’s version, which should please the author’s fans. The cast is superb; Ewan McGregor is quietly effective as Danny, Carl Lumbly projects a strong and supportive presence as Halloran (a role played Scatman Crothers in the original film), and Kyliegh Curran has an ageless, ethereal quality as Abra. There’s also fine supporting work from Cliff Curtis, Bruce Greenwood, Zahn McClarnon, and Carel Struycken. But it’s Rebecca Ferguson who steals the show with her by turns sensual, sadistic, charming and terrifying portrayal of the evil Rose. 

The film runs two and a half hours, but you never feel like the story is dragging or losing its focus. Doctor Sleep is an atmospheric, haunting tale that slowly builds to a crescendo of terror in it's climax at the iconic Overlook Hotel. One caveat: there are characters and plot elements of the Doctor Sleep novel that are either compressed or eliminated, mostly for the sake of narrative flow. It’s clear that if they'd done a full adaptation of the book, the film would have run five hours or more. Writer-director Mike Flanagan pulls off a nearly impossible task here, staying true to the spirit of both King’s and Kubrick’s visions, and adding a bit of his own unique take on the material. There are also some wonderful easter eggs for fans of King's work spread throughout the film. Doctor Sleep is so good that you’ll wish that he would adapt even more of King’s work for the screen. Here's the trailer for the movie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOzFZxB-8cw.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Midsommar: A Dark Tale of Folk Horror

Writer-director Ari Aster made quite an impact with his debut film, Hereditary. The intense drama told the story of a family which was being torn apart after the death of their matriarch. That loss was only the beginning of a terrifying journey thats left them irrevocably changed. The performances were excellent, highlighted by a spectacular turn by Toni Collette as a mother who’s slow descent into madness was both chilling and unsettling. If there was ever a movie where “my family is a horror show” was a perfect tagline, it’s Hereditary. The film was a truly original story that didn't’t rely on jump scares or cheap tricks to terrify viewers. How did Aster follow up that well-received debut? With another unique film, a tale of folk horror entitled Midsommar. The story follows several college students who accept the invitation of their friend Pelle to visit his family’s commune, the Harga, in Sweden. The community is having a midsummer celebration that only occurs every ninety years. All of them have different reasons for going on the trip. One of the students' girlfriends, Dani, has suffered a devastating loss, and is coming unraveled emotionally. Her boyfriend, Christian, invites her along, much to the dismay of his friends Mark and Josh. He had been thinking of breaking up with her, but can't bring himself to do it.

Florence Pugh in Midsommar
What they find when they visit is a lovely, peaceful, pastoral group who live off the land, and form a deep bond with both the earth and each other. Their traditions are based on ancient rites and rules, and the newcomers are at times both baffled and fascinated by their pagan customs. The first sign that things are far outside of their modern range of experience is when the group witnesses the ritual suicide of two elderly members of the commune. Dani and the others are horrified and shaken by this act, but it's explained to them that this is normal for members of the Harga, and that it's perfectly natural, and part of the cycle of life. Both Christian and Josh decide to do their thesis on the Harga and their history, and start asking questions about their customs. Another pair of visitors, Simon and Connie, decide to leave the commune after witnessing the ritual suicide, but the couple disappears under mysterious circumstances.

The tension between the commune and its visitors escalates when Mark (who went along on the trip mostly as a lark) urinates on a tree that is sacred to the Harga, and Josh asks a few too many questions about their culture and rituals. Both Josh and Mark also end up disappearing. Dani, who has been on an emotional roller coaster since her personal loss, slowly becomes drawn to the deep familial bond offered by the commune. Christian, who's been distancing himself from Dani, finds himself tempted by a member of the commune that's attracted to him. It all culminates in an intense finale that reveals the final fate of Christian and Dani, as well as the others. Suffice it to say that if you've seen other tales of folk horror, like the original version of The Wicker Man, or Blood on Satan's Claw, you'll know that there are deadly secrets and real terror lurking behind the kind faces of the commune, and the seemingly innocent pastoral settings.

If Hereditary was about the disintregation of a family, Midsommar feels like it charts the search for a surrogate family and a sense of community, at least in Dani's case. She's like a ship without a rudder after her loss, and the Harga seems to offer what she's been missing. The film is also a compelling commentary about the clash of our modern world of iPhones, computers and the internet with a culture that has no interest in such things. Are the Harga murderers, or are they just following customs and rituals that have been passed down to them for centuries? Their traditions are certainly far removed from what's normal for us in the 21st century. Writer-director Aster doesn't paint the Harga as black hat villains. While they do disturbing and violent things in the service of their community, it's all to protect their way of life. It's an interesting and compelling comparison, seeing the way the visitors react and interact with the Harga, and how the commune reacts in turn to their guests' modern, and often disrespectful, attitudes.

Aster's writing and  direction are top-notch. He subtly illustrates the conflict of cultures within the framework of a dark and often disturbing tale of terror. The cast is excellent. Florence Pugh is stellar as Dani; she portrays her as a crumbling soul, who find herself with no love and support after her loss. In the early part of the film, her emotions are raw and almost off-putting, but the tone of the performance fits the arc of her character. Pelle. Jack Reynor is good as Christian, who tries to be a good guy, but also wants to be free of his responsibilities as Dani's boyfriend and emotional support system. The rest of the cast, including Will Poulter as Mark and Vilhelm Blomgren as Pelle, also offer solid performances. The film is a visual marvel, with an amazing array of costumes, illustrations, language and music showing us the culture of the Harga. The excellent production design provides a great backdrop for the story. It's a fully realized world that truly feels different from our own.

Writer-director Ari Aster is a talent to watch. I was a big fan of Hereditary (though it is something of a "love it or hate it" film for some viewers) and with Midsommar, he knocks it out of the park once again. This is a dazzling, original film that bears repeat viewings to catch the care and depth of detail involved in the project. We seem to be in a new golden age of horror films, with talented filmmakers such as Aster, Mike (The Haunting of Hill HouseDoctor Sleep) Flanagan, Jordan (Get OutUs) Peele, Robert (The Witch, The Lighthouse) Eggers, Andres (Stephen King's It) Muschietti, Jennifer (The Babadook) Kent and others, whose work is definitely helping to re-define and re-invigorate the genre. Midsommar is now available on DVD and Blu-ray and for online streaming. There's also a director's cut of the film available. Check out the trailer for the film here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Vnghdsjmd0.

Sunday, November 10, 2019

A Superb "Last Waltz" Shines at Oakdale

In the modern world of live concerts, some shows are just plain fun. Others are technically amazing, displaying a band or individual performer’s instrumental prowess . Some are simply kick-ass rock outings, allowing fans to enjoy their favorite songs from an artist’s catalog. Once in a while, a show comes along that combines all of those elements, while adding a powerful, emotional connection between the music, the artist and the audience, creating a truly transformative experience. The Last Waltz Tour, featuring Warren Haynes, Lukas Nelson, and Jamey Johnson, which stopped off at the Oakdale Theater in Wallingford on November 8, was definitely one of those shows. The tour pays tribute to the final live performance from the original lineup of the legendary group The Band. The concert took place on Thanksgiving Day in 1976, and included guest stars such as Bob Dylan, Muddy Waters, Van Morrison, Neil Diamond and Joni Mitchell. The show was immortalized on record (and on film) as The Last Waltz. The filmed version was directed by none other than Martin Scorsese, and is widely considered one of the best concert movies ever made.

Lukas Nelson, Warren Haynes & Jamey Johnson
For The Last Waltz Tour, Warren Haynes (of Allman Brothers and Gov’t Mule fame), along with Lukas Nelson (Willie’s son) and Jamey Johnson, team up with a talented array of musicians to perform the songs from the original show. This wasn’t just a concert, it was a truly transcendent, beautiful evening of marvelous music.  The show opened with a joyous version of “Up On Cripple Creek” followed by a rollicking take on“The Shape I’m In”  featuring outstanding work from Haynes, Nelson and Johnson. What followed this fantastic opening salvo was an almost three hour celebration of the music of The Band, brilliantly performed by an outstanding ensemble. Jamey Johnson contributed a passionate lead vocal on a wonderful version of “Georgia On My Mind," which was an early highlight of the show. Guest stars Cyril Neville and Dave Malone (of The Radiators) brought a deep New Orleans vibe to jam-tastic run-throughs of  “Who Do You Love” and “Down South in New Orleans.” Neville and Malone re-appeared several times throughout the evening, adding additional depth to an already spectacular band. 

Guitarist Bob Margolin, who appeared at the original Last Waltz concert with Muddy Waters, joined the group for blues-drenched versions of "Mannish Boy" and "Further On Up The Road." There was brilliant, often searing guitar from Haynes, Nelson and Johnson, and excellent backing from acclaimed producer-musician Don Was, John Medeski on keyboards, Terence Higgins on drums and Mark Mullins on trombone, as well as The Levee Horns. The set list was filled with fantastic versions of songs such as “Stage Fright” and “It Makes No Difference,” as well as "King Harvest (Has Surely Come)." The night featured one astounding performance after another. Lukas Nelson led a breathtaking take on Bob Dylan’s “Forever Young," while Johnson anchored an emotional run through of the CSNY classic, “Helpless.” There was also an incandescent version of Dylan's “I Shall Be Released.” Of course, the enthusiastic audience of baby boomers (as well as a number of younger fans) were brought to their feet by “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down” and “The Weight." And everyone put on their dancing shoes for "Ophelia" and Van Morrison's "Caravan."

Cyril Neville and Dave Malone join the lineup
By the time the the encore, consisting of the Dr. John standard "Such A Night" and the Marvin Gaye cover "Baby, Don't You Do It," came around, the audience had been rocked, rolled, mesmerized, transported and musically sanctified. This unforgettable show was a shared experience that will stay with those of us who attended for a long time to come. It’s obvious that these supremely talented musicians enjoy playing together, and also have a deep and abiding love for this classic music, which clearly resonated with the audience. The Band were one of the groups that helped popularize the Americana sound, combining elements of country, rock, jazz, and soul to create memorable albums such as Music From Big Pink. Truly great songs stands the test of time, and this show honors the legacy of this outstanding music. I truly enjoyed this concert, and highly recommend it. If you're a fan of the Band or any of the artists that are part of The Last Waltz Tour, this is a not to be missed experience. For more info on the tour, you can follow this link: https://blackbirdpresents.com/concert/the-last-waltz-tour-2019/.