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 Reviews ‘Wicked Little Letters’ (2024)
Thea Sharrock’s Wicked Little Letters, a movie that is British from head to toe, so what better place to […]
Jacked In Recommends ‘Death Becomes Her’ (1992)
Death Becomes Her follows the toxic friendship of Madeline Ashton (Meryl Streep) and Helen Sharp (Goldie Hawn). […]
Jacked In Reviews ‘The Surfer’ (2025)
As a yellow title contrasts against a gorgeous turquoise, Australian backdrop, it sets the colour palette for […]
Jacked In Reviews ‘Noman’ (2022)
Matt Robb’s short horror, Noman brings the summoning/séance sub-genre to the 21st century, allowing audiences […]
Jacked In Recommends ‘The Monster Squad’ (1987)
Horror’s answer to The Goonies, The Monster Squad follows a bunch of kids in a club based around, you guessed it, […]
Jacked In Reviews ‘Brian and Charles’ (2022)
Brian and Charles follows the story of Brian (David Earl), a lonesome, wannabe inventor, who resides in the Welsh […]
Jacked In Reviews ‘Pearl’ (2023)
As we open on a quaint barn in the countryside, we realize this seems awfully familiar. However, it’s too bright, […]
Jacked In Recommends ‘The Father’ (2020)
Based on Florian Zeller’s play of the same name, The Father tells the story of Anthony (Anthony Hopkins), who […]
Jacked In Reviews ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ (2025)
A spotlight illuminates 60s-esque show host, Ted Gilbert (Mark Gatus), who proceeds to bring us up to speed on the […]
Jacked In Recommends ‘One Hour Photo’ (2002)
One Hour Photo follows the story of SavMart photo technician, Sy, The Photo Guy (Robin Willaims). However, although […]
Jacked In Reviews ‘The Iron Claw’ (2023)
The pillars surrounding the screen at Tyneside Cinema provides the perfect opening, as a black and white man comes […]
Jacked In Recommends ‘Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri’ (2017)
After the local authorities fail to catch the people responsible for committing unthinkable crimes against her […]