Director, Joshua Blewitt brings us chauvinistic, narcissist, movie lover and filmmaker, Chez Florentine (Joe Carmichael), amidst the release of his latest (very controversial) flick, Mean.
Opening on a talking heads/interview is the first entry we are given in a film with subject matter which is clearly an ode to films, filmmaking and the numerous techniques and artistic choices that come with it.
With varied styles, the cinematography ropes you in, keeping you engaged throughout. However, these multiple styles also leave this short struggling from a tonality point of view. Not to say the contrast doesn’t work but the script may have just been a tad heavy for lead, Carmichael, who doesn’t necessarily demonstrate the passion for film that his onscreen counterpart required, convincingly.
As an artist, there is a difference between the stories you want to tell and the stories you’ve been asked to tell.
Mean serves as more than just a title, not only doesn’t it hit on the downsides of the movie industry but it represents 21st-century filmmaking in the age where the internet has a voice and everyone is a critic. Although the ending falls a little flat, the finale does succeed in leaving you with a strong message: As an artist, there is a difference between the stories you want to tell and the stories you’ve been asked to tell.
Jacked In Recommends ‘The Tinder Swindler’ (2022)
Swipe left, swipe right, left, right, left, left, right- IT’S A MATCH!.. Sound familiar? Tinder is one of the most […]
Jacked In Reviews ‘Poor Things’ (2023)
As we settle into our red velvet seats at Tyneside Cinema, it becomes clear that their gorgeously old-fashioned, […]
Jacked In Reviews ‘Last Night in Soho’ (2021)
Edgar Wright’s Last Night in Soho is a psychological thriller that sees a young student who is able to travel back […]
Jacked In Reviews ‘Mean’ (2023)
Director, Joshua Blewitt brings us chauvinistic, narcissist, movie lover and filmmaker, Chez Florentine (Joe […]
Jacked In Recommends ‘The Platform’ (2019)
The Platform AKA El hoyo follows the story of Goreng (Ivan Massagué) and his abysmal days spent in isolation. The […]
Jacked In Recommends ‘Frailty’ (2001)
Frailty begins with numerous victims going missing all over Texas, courtesy of the God’s Hand Killer. All of a […]
Jacked In Reviews ‘Morbius’ (2022)
After a release date which was delayed time and time again, Sony’s Marvel movie, Morbius finally hits the big […]
Jacked In Reviews ‘Melanie’s Grave’ (2023)
A robber on the run chooses to lay low, away from prying eyes and the law. Unfortunately for him, the chosen […]
Jacked in Reviews ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ (2024)
Tim Burton’s sequel to the 1988 cult classic once again follows the Deetz’s, with Lydia (Winona Ryder) […]
Jacked In Reviews ‘It’s John’ (2023)
It’s John follows amateur filmmaker Smithy Jones (Victor Hampson), and his rag-tag team of actors who are in the […]
Jacked In Recommends ‘Willow’ (1988)
Willow Ufgood (Warwick Davis) is a Nelwyn, born into the simple life of farming, with aspirations of one day, […]
Jacked In Reviews ‘The Whale’ (2022)
After a long hiatus, audiences at Tyneside Cinema welcome the beautiful soul that is Brendan Fraser back to the big […]