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 ‘Eighth Grade’ (2018)
We follow the life of Kayla (Elsie Fisher), a social pariah who is in the process of completing Eighth Grade. A […]
Jacked In Reviews ‘Orchid Moon’ (2023)
Orchid Moon follows the life of Harry (Jake Waring), a troubled individual with a burden he must suppress by any […]
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 Recommends ‘Midsommar’ (2019)
We join Dani (Florence Pugh) and Christian (Jack Reynor), a young couple amidst a rocky relationship that is about […]
Jacked In Reviews ‘The B Movie’ (2023)
The humble opening of Richard Bray’s documentary establishes what’s to come in terms of tone as we begin with […]
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 ‘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 ‘Bird Drone’ (2023)
Radheya Jegatheva brings us a captivating story of a lonely seagull who befriends a drone.
Jacked In Reviews ‘SpaceWalk’ (2023)
We join Bob Spletzer for the opening episode of his travel doc, which sees him explore the US space program and the […]
Fictional Movie Bands We’d Love To See Live
It’s safe to say movies have incorporated some brilliant artists into their soundtracks over the years, […]
Jacked In Reviews ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ (2024)
What seems like a lifetime ago, we open up on Logan (Hugh Jackman) where we left him last… Dead. Seven years after […]
Jacked In Recommends ‘Drop Dead Gorgeous’ (1999)
Seen through the lens of a camera crew, we (predominantly) follow the life of high schooler/make-up artist for the […]